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.

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Cosmic Tissue Bottle Push

Steps:

  • Adult: Give your child several sheets of colorful tissue paper.
  • Child: Tear the paper into small pieces using both hands.
  • Crumple each piece into a very tight, round ball.
  • Adult: Secure two pipe cleaners over the bottle mouth in an X shape.
  • Use masking tape to hold the pipe cleaners to the bottle sides.
  • Child: Hold the bottle steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your pinching fingers to pick up a paper ball.
  • Push the ball hard through the fuzzy pipe cleaner gate until it drops inside.

Safety Tip:
Tissue paper and pipe cleaners can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during play to keep them safe.

The Cardboard Coin Slide

The Cardboard Coin Slide

Steps:

  • Adult: Cut a long, narrow rectangle from your cardboard to make a ramp.
  • Use masking tape to attach a paper cup to a table edge as a goal.
  • Ask your child to hold the top of the ramp with their helper hand.
  • Encourage them to use their other hand to pinch a coin at the top.
  • Aim the bottom of the cardboard ramp toward the paper cup target.
  • Release the coin and watch it slide into the cup!
  • Move the cup to different spots to change the angle and challenge level.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while playing with coins. Coins are a choking hazard. Ensure the cardboard edges are smooth to prevent scratches.

The Supine Tape Rescue

The Supine Tape Rescue

Steps:

  • Place two sturdy boxes about two feet apart on a carpeted floor.
  • Stretch several long strips of masking tape between the boxes with the sticky side facing down toward the floor.
  • Press lightweight treasures like ribbons, feathers, and paper clips onto the sticky tape bridge.
  • Ask your child to lie on their back on the floor between the two boxes, looking up at the tape.
  • Encourage them to reach up with one hand to peel a treasure off the tape.
  • Challenge them to use their other hand to hold a basket as they rescue all the treasures!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put any small items like paper clips in their mouth.

Stuffed Animal Delivery Drive

Stuffed Animal Delivery Drive

Steps:

  • Use your masking tape to mark a large parking square on a smooth floor or rug.
  • Place your child’s favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
  • Ask your child to add several blocks to the basket to make it heavy for the delivery.
  • Have your child stand behind the basket and place both hands on the rim.
  • Encourage your toddler to push the basket slowly across the room toward the tape square.
  • Cheer for them when they park the delivery right inside the lines!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small blocks and tape. Always supervise your child closely and keep small parts away from the mouth.

The Stocking Wrecking Ball

The Stocking Wrecking Ball

Steps:

  • Place a tennis ball into the toe of a long stocking.
  • Slide the open end of the stocking over your child’s head like a hat.
  • The stocking should hang down with the ball near their chest or waist.
  • Use masking tape to mark a small circle on the floor for your child to stand in.
  • Help your child build three tall towers using the blocks just outside the circle.
  • Ask your child to keep their feet inside the tape circle.
  • Challenge them to swing their body and head to make the ball hit the towers.
  • Cheer as the blocks tumble down and then build them up again!

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is in a clear area away from sharp furniture. Adult supervision is required to ensure the stocking does not cover the child’s face or eyes.