Proprioception - Page 10 of 43

Layered Card Clip Tower

Steps:

Layer 3 index cards together tightly to make one very thick building block. Secure the edges completely with masking tape.
Use a marker to draw 4 small target dots along one short edge of the layered block where you will insert the clips.
Take two finished layered blocks. Hold them firmly together with your helper hand to keep the pieces aligned and stable.
Pick up a paper clip using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Push the clip through the marker target dots on both cards, joining the two blocks. This requires focused effort!
Continue connecting the layered cards end-to-end using the paper clips. Build a long, flexible tower or chain structure.
For extra heavy work, try tearing the finished paper clip chain apart after you finish building it.
Try creating a 3D structure by joining the blocks at different angles.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Paper clips are small metal objects and pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure all clips are collected immediately after play.

Felt Piercing Garden Push

Steps:

Use markers to draw 5 to 7 small target dots randomly across the center of the felt piece.
Cut the felt into a square shape. Use masking tape to secure the felt tightly over the container opening, making sure the fabric is taut and resistant.
Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand on the table to prevent tipping.
Pick up one craft stick. Grip it with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Aim the stick at a marked target dot. Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the stick straight through the resistant felt.
Repeat this powerful pushing action until all the marked dots are filled with sticks, completing your ‘felt garden’.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the child pushes the craft sticks into the container and away from their face and body. The stabilizing hand should always be placed on the container base.

Putty Pancake Decorators

Steps:

Give your child a large chunk of Theraputty or stiff playdough. Encourage them to use both hands to squeeze, mash, and roll it into a thick ‘pancake’ on the paper plate. Press hard for heavy work!
Ask your child to hold the paper plate firmly steady with their helper hand to keep the ‘pancake’ from sliding.
Pick up the tweezers or tongs. Use a strong pincer grasp to grab one small bead at a time.
Carefully aim the bead. Push it firmly and precisely into the resistant putty surface to create a colorful design or pattern.
Repeat the process until the entire putty pancake is covered in decorative beads. Try using different colors or sizes of beads.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Heavy Foil Rock Decorate

Steps:

Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil. Encourage your child to use both hands to tear the resistant foil into a large, manageable piece.
Use maximum hand force to crumple and squeeze the foil tightly. Form a dense, hard 3D rock shape (the ‘foundation’). Squeeze hard for heavy work input.
Place the finished foil rock securely onto the piece of cardboard base. This acts as a stable work surface.
Use the glue bottle to squeeze several small, controlled dots of liquid glue onto the foil rock surface.
Pick up one dry bean using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Carefully aim the bean at a wet glue dot. Press the bean firmly onto the resistant foil surface. Repeat until the foil rock is covered in textured dots.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry beans and small, dense foil pieces pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Heavy Anchor Cup Clip

Steps:

Use markers to decorate 4 or 5 paper cups. Draw colorful faces or stripes on the outside.
Place the heavy bean bag flat onto a stable surface like a table or the floor.
Ask your child to press down firmly on the bean bag with their helper hand to stabilize it.
Use the dominant hand to pick up a clothespin. Squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
Aim the open clothespin and clip one paper cup onto the side of the resistant bean bag. The bag should hold the cup securely.
Repeat the squeezing and clipping action until all the decorated cups are attached to the heavy anchor.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Clothespins and small pom-poms (if used) are small objects. They pose a potential choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.