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 Sticker Pierce Track

Foil Sticker Pierce Track

Steps:

  • Secure a piece of cardboard firmly inside the bottom of the aluminum foil pan using masking tape. This adds stability.
  • Place 8 to 10 small stickers (like dot stickers) randomly onto the surface of the foil. Use your pincer grasp to peel them.
  • Hold the aluminum foil pan firmly steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Pick up one craft stick. Hold the stick like a strong pencil in your dominant hand.
  • Aim the tip of the stick directly at a sticker target. Use a strong, controlled push to pierce the sticker and the foil completely.
  • Repeat this forceful piercing action until all the sticker targets have been smashed and pierced through.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Small stickers can be a choking hazard for children under five. Craft sticks are not sharp, but controlled pushing is necessary. Ensure the child pushes the stick away from their face and body.

Sticky Roller Texture Wall

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of construction paper vertically onto a wall or sturdy door.
  • Use masking tape (sticky side OUT) to create a large shape or design on the paper.
  • Place the dry beans or corn kernels into the plastic container next to your child.
  • Encourage your child to pick up the beans one by one using a strong pincer grasp.
  • Firmly press the beans onto the exposed sticky tape until the design is completely covered.
  • Use the paper roll as a roller. Hold the roll tightly and press down hard onto the textured beans.
  • Roll the paper roll up and down, applying maximum force to press the items deeply into the sticky surface.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry beans and corn kernels are small, hard objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Heavy Punch Sequin Fill

Heavy Punch Sequin Fill

Steps:

  • Cut a small, sturdy piece of cardboard. This is your target canvas.
  • Use the hole puncher to squeeze and punch 6 to 8 holes across the cardboard. Squeezing hard builds strength!
  • Place the small sequins into the container. Put the cardboard target on a table.
  • Hold the cardboard firmly steady with your non-dominant hand.
  • Pick up the tweezers. Use the pincer grasp to pinch one tiny sequin.
  • Carefully carry and aim the sequin toward a punched hole. Gently drop the sequin precisely inside the opening.
  • Repeat this process until every punched hole has been successfully filled with colorful sequins.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and cardboard punch-outs are very small objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

Pom-Pom Pin Bouquet

Steps:

  • Secure the sponge firmly onto the piece of cardboard using masking tape underneath. This creates a stable and resistant base.
  • Place 2 or 3 pom-poms into the container. Challenge your child to thread these pom-poms onto one pipe cleaner, pushing them toward the center.
  • Hold the cardboard base firmly steady with your non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Use a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to grip the exposed end of the pipe cleaner pin.
  • Aim the pin at the sponge. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the pipe cleaner straight down into the resistant sponge base.
  • Repeat this threading and pushing process until your colorful pom-pom bouquet fills the entire sponge garden.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Pom-poms and cut pipe cleaners are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Foil Shape Sticker Sculptures

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure the construction paper vertically onto a wall or sturdy door at your child’s eye level.
  • Tear off small squares of aluminum foil. Encourage your child to use both hands to squeeze and crumple the foil intensely into dense, stiff, 3D shapes.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the stiff foil shapes firmly onto the vertical construction paper, creating a textured sculpture.
  • Peel the stickers or sequins using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Aim the sticky item at the foil surface. Use a firm, controlled press to secure the sticker onto the stiff foil shape, feeling the heavy work input.
  • Continue peeling and pressing items until the foil sculpture is completely covered in colorful texture.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Sequins and small stickers are very small materials and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.