Proprioception - Page 22 of 43

Cardboard Stick Weave Challenge

Steps:

Decorate a piece of sturdy cardboard using markers. Draw many small dots or shapes across the surface to mark your targets.
Hold the cardboard firmly steady with your helper hand. Use the hole puncher to punch a hole onto every marked dot. Squeezing the puncher requires strong effort!
Pick up one craft stick. Hold the cardboard steady with one hand.
Aim the tip of the craft stick at one of the newly punched holes. Use a strong, controlled push to insert the stick all the way through the resistant hole.
Continue weaving the craft stick in and out of different holes to create a fun pattern. Fill the entire cardboard piece with colorful sticks.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the child uses the hole puncher safely, keeping fingers clear of the mechanism. Check craft sticks for splintering before use.

Water Pocket Clip Boats

Steps:

Fill a Ziplock Bag halfway with corn kernels.
Add a small amount of water to make the mixture thick and resistant.
Seal the bag tightly, ensuring all excess air is completely removed.
Use markers to draw small boat shapes onto construction paper.
Use scissors to cut the boat shapes out.
Lay the sealed bag flat inside a shallow container to keep it stable.
Pick up a clothespin. Squeeze it open using a strong finger pinch.
Clip one paper boat securely onto the clothespin.
Hold the resistant corn bag steady with your helper hand.
Clip the boat and clothespin firmly onto the dense bag surface. Push hard until it feels securely anchored!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Corn kernels are a choking hazard if ingested. Ensure the Ziplock Bag is sealed completely and the child remains seated while working.

Sticky Stick Pull

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure a piece of construction paper onto a stable piece of cardboard using masking tape. This is your sticky work surface.
Place 6 to 8 craft sticks flat across the paper. Secure both ends of each stick firmly with a small, tight strip of masking tape. Press the tape down hard to increase resistance.
Encourage your toddler to use their helper hand to hold the cardboard steady on the table, preventing it from slipping while they work.
Challenge them to use their dominant hand to find the edge of the tape strip. Use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pinch and pull the tape and the stick off the board in one strong, controlled motion.
Gather all the freed sticks and repeat the entire process! Try using strips of tape that are longer or shorter to change the difficulty.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of torn tape and the craft sticks pose a potential choking hazard for toddlers who still place objects in their mouths. Discard all materials immediately after use.

Resistance Trace Bag

Steps:

Adult Prep: Fill a gallon-sized Ziplock Bag halfway with corn kernels. Add a small amount of water to create a thick, dense texture that is resistant to movement.
Seal the bag tightly, ensuring all excess air is removed. Place the sealed bag flat inside a shallow plastic container to stabilize it on the table.
Use a marker to draw simple lines, letters, or shapes (like a circle or a cross) directly onto the outside of the bag.
Challenge your child to use only their pointer finger (finger isolation) to press hard into the bag, tracing the marker lines.
They must use sustained pressure to push the kernels aside, leaving a visible path in the resistant medium. This requires great effort!
When finished, gently shake the bag to reset the kernels. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the marker lines off the bag and start with a new shape.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the Ziplock Bag is sealed completely before use, as corn kernels pose a choking hazard if ingested.

Foam Fortress Pull-Apart

Steps:

Use markers to draw simple shapes onto the foam sheets. Shapes like squares and rectangles work best for building.
Ask an adult to use scissors to cut the foam shapes out. Cut the craft sticks in half if needed.
Hold two foam pieces together so the edges align. Use a marker to dot the spot where you want to connect them.
Take one craft stick. Use strong finger force to push the stick straight through the marked spot, connecting the two foam pieces tightly.
Continue connecting pieces until you build a large structure, like a wall or a tower.
Now for the heavy work! Challenge your child to grab the structure with both hands. Use a strong, steady pull to separate the connected foam pieces, one stick at a time.
Collect all the sticks and foam pieces to build an even bigger structure next time.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Craft sticks are small objects and pose a potential choking hazard for young children. Adults must handle the scissors during preparation.