Skill: Proprioception

Proprioception is how your body knows what position it is in. It is the sense that enables us to know where the different parts of our body are, how they are moving, and how much strength our muscles need to use. Our muscles, joints, and skin all contain sensory receptors that contribute to proprioceptive input.

Vertical Target Poke

Vertical Target Poke

Steps:

  • Secure a sturdy piece of Cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using Masking Tape. This sets up your vertical work surface.
  • Use a Marker to draw 10 small target dots randomly across the Cardboard surface where your child should aim.
  • Tape a piece of Foam Sheet firmly onto the back of the Cardboard, covering the target dot area. This provides resistance when pushing.
  • Encourage your child to pick up a Q-Tip using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Ask them to aim the cotton tip of the Q-Tip at a marker dot.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the Cardboard and plant the Q-Tip deep into the resistant Foam backing. Feel the effort!
  • Repeat this heavy work until all target dots are successfully filled with Q-Tips.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Q-Tips are small materials and pose a potential choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the vertical board is secured firmly before beginning the activity.

Marshland Cotton Ball Tug

Marshland Cotton Ball Tug

Steps:

  • In the container, mix liquid glue and sand thoroughly to create a thick, resistant ‘marsh mud’.
  • Spread the marsh mud mixture thickly onto the cardboard base to create a dense layer.
  • Press 10 to 12 cotton balls halfway into the wet mixture, ensuring they are stuck firmly. Allow the cardboard to dry completely (12 to 24 hours) until the surface is very hard.
  • Place the dried ‘marshland’ board on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly steady with their helper hand.
  • Pick up one craft stick using a firm pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the stick and wedge the tip underneath a stuck cotton ball.
  • Use a strong, controlled tug to pull the cotton ball free from the resistant marsh mud. Repeat this forceful pulling action until all the cotton balls are rescued.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Cotton balls and craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Putty Spool Force Push

Putty Spool Force Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Press a large lump of stiff playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a stable base.
  • Adult Prep: Twist 5 to 6 short pieces of yarn tightly into small loops. Embed these yarn loops halfway into the surface of the playdough, ensuring they are resistant.
  • Ask your child to hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand to stabilize the base on the table.
  • Pick up one craft stick. Encourage a firm, three-finger or pincer grip on the stick.
  • Aim the stick at a resistant yarn loop embedded in the playdough base.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick straight through the yarn and deep into the resistant playdough. Feel the effort!
  • Repeat this action until all the yarn loops have a stick pushed through them. Pull them out quickly for extra heavy work!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Playdough, yarn, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Foam Spike Pom-Pom Insert

Foam Spike Pom-Pom Insert

Steps:

  • Secure the foam sheet firmly onto a piece of construction paper using masking tape. This stabilizes the work surface.
  • Use a marker to draw 10 to 15 short, straight lines (these are your ‘spike’ targets) randomly across the foam sheet’s surface.
  • Challenge your child to hold the foam steady with their helper hand. Use child-safe scissors to snip along each drawn marker line. Squeezing through the resistant foam requires strong effort!
  • Pick up one pom-pom using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Carefully aim the soft pom-pom at one of the newly snipped slits. Use controlled force to push the pom-pom halfway into the slit, turning the foam into a colorful, spiky cushion.
  • Repeat this inserting action until the entire foam surface is covered in pom-pom ‘spikes’.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required when using scissors. Ensure that the child uses the scissors only for cutting the foam. Small pom-poms are used in this activity and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Collect all small materials immediately after play.

Tight Coil Tunnel Twist

Tight Coil Tunnel Twist

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut an index card in half. Cover one half completely with aluminum foil, crimping the edges tightly underneath. Secure this foiled card flat onto a sturdy piece of cardboard using masking tape.
  • Use a marker tip or pen to poke 5-6 small starter holes into the foil surface. These holes should be slightly smaller than the pipe cleaners.
  • Encourage your child to twist the pipe cleaners tightly around their finger or a pencil to create small, dense, stiff coils. This builds hand strength!
  • Ask your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand (proximal stability).
  • Pick up one finished coil with a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger). Aim the coil at a starter hole.
  • Use a strong, continuous twisting motion (like screwing in a lightbulb) to turn the coil. Screw the stiff coil into and through the resistant foil and cardboard base until it is fully embedded. Repeat until all holes are filled.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small materials and, especially when cut or tightly coiled, pose a choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Collect all pieces immediately after play.