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.

Sticky Shape Press

Sticky Shape Press

Steps:

  • Use a marker to draw a large, simple shape (like a heart or square) onto the construction paper.
  • Tear a long strip of masking tape. Encourage your child to tear the tape into many small, postage stamp-sized pieces.
  • Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to fill the drawn shape completely with the small tape pieces.
  • Pick up the craft stick. Show the child how to hold it like a pencil, keeping the wrist slightly bent backward (extended).
  • Use the craft stick to rub and press down firmly over every piece of tape. Applying strong pressure provides excellent heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are only for crafting and not for placing in the mouth.

Resistance Band Rescue

Resistance Band Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Take 2 or 3 pipe cleaners and twist them tightly together to create a thick, stiff band.
  • Tightly wrap 4 to 5 of these thick pipe cleaner bands around the lid or body of the plastic container. Make sure they are secure and difficult to remove.
  • Place the container on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the container firmly with their non-dominant (helper) hand to keep it steady.
  • Ask the child to use their dominant hand to grasp a band using only their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Encourage them to use controlled effort to pull the tight band off the container. Try to keep the container hand perfectly still.
  • Count how many bands are rescued, and then wrap them back on to play again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Pipe cleaners are small and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure that the pipe cleaners are fully unwrapped and collected immediately after the activity.

Clip Straightener Stack

Clip Straightener Stack

Steps:

  • Secure the paper plate on the table. Use your child’s helper hand to stabilize it. Roll the playdough into a long log shape and press it firmly onto the plate to create a resistant base.
  • Pick up one paper clip. Encourage your child to use both hands together to pull and bend the paper clip until it is completely straight. This requires concentration and effort.
  • Using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger), push the sharp end of the straightened wire deep into the resistant playdough roll. Continue this process until the plate is full of straight wire posts.

Safety Tip:
Paper clips can become sharp once straightened. Adults must supervise closely to ensure the wires are only used in the playdough and not near the face. Monitor for choking if the child mouths small pieces of playdough.

Vertical Tape Relief

Vertical Tape Relief

Steps:

  • Secure a flat piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s eye level. Use extra masking tape to anchor it.
  • Use markers to draw a simple picture or design, like a big tree or an animal shape, on the cardboard.
  • Give the child long strips of masking tape. Encourage them to tear the tape into many small, 1-inch squares.
  • The child should use both hands for tearing. Drop the finished small pieces into the plastic container.
  • Pick up one small tape piece using only the thumb and pointer finger (pincer control).
  • Challenge your child to press the sticky side of the tape piece firmly onto the drawn shape. Strong, controlled pressure is needed.
  • Continue layering the tape pieces until the entire drawing is covered, creating a textured relief artwork. Add stickers for eyes or details.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the vertical cardboard is secured firmly to prevent it from falling. Always monitor children to ensure they do not attempt to place torn tape pieces in their mouths.

Screw Tower Twist

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use a pencil to poke 4 to 6 holes in the cardboard. The holes should be slightly smaller than the bolts for good resistance.
  • Place the cardboard on the table. Use the marker to draw a simple circle around each hole to create a target zone.
  • Challenge your child to hold the cardboard firmly with one hand (the helper hand) to stabilize it on the table.
  • Using their dominant hand, push a bolt straight through a target hole until only the threads stick out the back.
  • Carefully thread a matching nut onto the bolt. Use repeated forearm twisting (like turning a key) to tighten the nut down to the cardboard surface.
  • Once the nut is tight, try unscrewing and removing all pieces to repeat the challenge.

Safety Tip:
Nuts and bolts are very small and pose a choking hazard. Always supervise the child closely during this activity. Ensure all pieces are collected and stored safely after playtime.