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.

Foil Comet Toss

Foil Comet Toss

Steps:

  • Tear a piece of aluminum foil off the roll. Use strong, bilateral hand movements to rip the resistant foil.
  • Use both hands and fingertips to crumple the foil into the smallest, tightest ball possible. This is your heavy ‘Comet.’
  • Repeat this process until you have 5 to 6 foil comets ready in your container.
  • The adult will use masking tape to hang the cardboard target from the ceiling or a doorway. Ensure it swings freely at the child’s chest level.
  • Challenge your child to stand still. Use the non-dominant hand to gently tap the cardboard, making it swing slowly.
  • Throw the foil comets one by one at the moving target. Practice grading the force of the throw to hit the center of the swinging target.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the aluminum foil is crumpled very tightly to eliminate any sharp, exposed edges. Supervise closely during throwing to ensure the child aims away from faces or breakable objects.

Spoon Obstacle Delivery

Spoon Obstacle Delivery

Steps:

  • Create a path on the floor by spacing out 4-5 Boxes. Use different sizes of boxes to create a varied, low obstacle maze.
  • Place the Stuffed Animal (the customer!) at the finish line. Give your child the Spoon and have them balance the Ping Pong Ball on it.
  • Challenge your child to walk or step carefully through the maze without letting the “delivery” fall off the spoon. If it drops, they must return to the starting point to try again.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the path is clear of trip hazards. Make sure the boxes used as obstacles are sturdy enough not to collapse when bumped.

Styro-Dart Challenge

School-age boy aiming a pipe cleaner dart at a Styrofoam target to practice wrist extension, shoulder strength, and ocular control in a home playroom.

Steps:

  • Help your child draw a bullseye target on the Styrofoam block using markers. Assign different point values to the rings (e.g., 50 points for the center, 10 points for the outer ring).
  • Transform the pipe cleaners into ‘darts.’ Have your child fold one end into a small, easy-to-grip loop (the handle). Tightly curl the opposite end into a sharp spiral or point that will stick into the Styrofoam.
  • Set up the target using the cardboard as a stand/easel. Have your child stand 3 to 5 feet away. Emphasize holding the dart so their wrist is slightly bent back (extended) for better control before aiming.
  • Challenge your child to toss the pipe cleaner darts at the target, trying to grade their force (proprioception) so the dart sticks in without bouncing off. Keep track of points for a fun competition!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the children stand far enough apart if multiple children are playing. Supervise to ensure the pipe cleaner ‘darts’ are only thrown at the designated Styrofoam target and not toward faces or other objects.

Foil River Rock Toss

Foil River Rock Toss

Steps:

  • Tear off a large, square piece of aluminum foil (about 12 inches per side). Tearing this resistant material gives hands a great workout.
  • Use two hands to crumple the foil. Squeeze it intensely into the smallest, tightest ‘river rock’ ball possible.
  • Set up the target: Use masking tape to secure two small paper cups firmly inside the large plastic container.
  • Stand back slightly from the target container. Carefully toss the heavy foil rock, aiming for one of the narrow paper cup targets.
  • Repeat this process until you have used all the foil. Try tossing from different angles or distances for an extra challenge.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children closely during this activity. Ensure the foil pieces are crumpled tightly into balls before handling to eliminate sharp edges. Remind the child to stay behind the toss line during play.

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Take a Ziplock Bag and cut a tiny corner (less than 1/4 inch) off the bottom corner. Roll a soft piece of Playdough into a log shape and place it inside the bag, pushing it toward the cut corner.
  • Place the Paper Plate on the table. Show your child how to hold the top of the bag securely with their helper hand to provide proximal stability.
  • Encourage your child to use their dominant hand to squeeze the Playdough firmly downward, forcing the dough through the tiny hole to create ‘spaghetti noodles’ on the plate. Cheer on their strong effort!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the Ziplock bag and any loose pieces of extruded dough are monitored and not placed in the mouth, as they pose a choking hazard.