Proprioception - Page 37 of 43

Resistant Tear Feed

Steps:

Prep the surface: Use masking tape to secure several large pieces of construction paper tightly onto a piece of cardboard.
Place the cardboard upright on a chair or stand it vertically against a wall. Put the container on the floor below the paper.
Show your toddler how to hold the cardboard firmly with their helper hand to keep it stable while working.
Encourage them to grab a corner of the paper and use a strong pull to rip the construction paper off the resistant cardboard base.
Once ripped free, challenge them to drop the torn pieces directly into the container on the floor. Repeat until the cardboard is clear!

Safety Tip:
Constant, close adult supervision is essential for this age group. Ensure the toddler does not put torn pieces of paper or masking tape in their mouth, as these pose a choking hazard.

Thumb Flick Target Game

Steps:

Use markers to draw a simple target or bullseye onto several index cards. You can assign point values for older children.
Secure the index cards flat onto a table using masking tape around all four edges. This prevents the card from moving.
Place a small pile of colorful buttons from the container near a designated start line on the card.
Show your child how to use the pad of their thumb to gently flick the button forward. The thumb should use the pointer finger as a stabilizer (thumb opposition).
Challenge your child to flick each button until it lands completely inside a target zone. If the button flies off the table, try using less force.

Safety Tip:
Buttons are small items that pose a choking hazard. Maintain constant, close adult supervision throughout this activity. Ensure all buttons are collected immediately after play.

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

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.