Proximal Stability - Page 16 of 27

Ribbon Resistance Unwind

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut several strips of ribbon (about 12 inches long). Secure one end of a ribbon strip firmly onto a craft stick using a small piece of masking tape.
Adult Prep: Tightly wrap the ribbon all the way down the stick until it is completely covered. Secure the loose end of the ribbon/stick assembly firmly inside the plastic container with more masking tape (this anchors the stick).
Have your child sit at a table and hold the plastic container steady with their helper hand to prevent it from sliding. This requires proximal stability.
Challenge the child to use their working hand to pinch the exposed end of the ribbon. Encourage them to use a strong, controlled pull and unwind motion to free the ribbon from the stick.
Once the ribbon is completely unwound, gently peel the starting tape off the stick and wrap a new ribbon tightly around the stick to play again.

Safety Tip:
Ribbon and small pieces of masking tape are small objects. Constant adult supervision is required to prevent choking hazards for children in this age group.

Putty Pat Painters

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure a large piece of cardboard target vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape.
Use markers to draw a simple target shape, like a large circle, on the cardboard at your child’s chest height.
Help your child press a large lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly onto the flat side of the sponge.
Encourage your child to use their helper hand to stabilize the cardboard target on the wall.
Challenge them to use a strong, controlled ‘pat’ motion to press the putty-covered sponge onto the marked target zone.
Repeat this firm pressing and patting action until the entire marked area is covered in colorful, sticky putty patches.

Safety Tip:
Theraputty and playdough are choking hazards if ingested. Constant, direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the vertical cardboard target is secured tightly so it cannot fall or shift during the strong patting action.

Bubble Pop Thread Maze

Steps:

Adult Prep: Secure a large sheet of bubble wrap tightly onto the cardboard using masking tape. Ensure the plastic bubbles face outward.
Give your child one golf ball tee. Encourage them to hold the tee using a strong pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
Challenge your child to hold the cardboard steady with their helper hand. Push the tee straight through one bubble until it makes a satisfying pop, creating a tight hole.
Continue poking many holes all over the bubble wrap surface to create a challenging, textured ‘maze’ of openings.
Once many holes are poked, pick up a craft stick. Aim the stick at a hole and push it all the way through the resistant bubble wrap and cardboard.
Thread the craft sticks into the holes. Continue filling the maze with colorful sticks to create a rigid, unique sculpture.

Safety Tip:
Golf ball tees and craft sticks have pointed ends. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Golf ball tees and craft sticks are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Ripped Line Art

Steps:

Secure the cardboard vertically to a wall or door at your child’s chest height.
Use a marker to draw several long, curvy, or zigzag lines onto the cardboard surface.
Give your child a piece of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, jagged pieces. This takes strong finger effort!
Drop the torn pieces into the plastic container nearby.
Now, use the glue bottle to draw a thick, wavy line of glue directly next to one of the marker lines.
Challenge your child to pick up the torn paper pieces using a neat pincer grasp. Press each piece firmly onto the wet glue line, filling the entire path.
Repeat this process, covering all the drawn lines with colorful ripped paper pieces.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure that small pieces of torn paper are not put into the mouth, nose, or ears, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the vertical board is stable and secured well.

Taped String Snipping

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut a piece of cardboard into a sturdy rectangle. Stretch several long pieces of yarn tightly across the cardboard and secure the ends firmly with masking tape.
Place the cardboard on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant hand to provide a stable base.
Using child-safe scissors, encourage your child to snip the taut yarn. They must close the scissors completely to cut through the resistant string.
Encourage a strong, full squeeze of the scissors to get the proprioceptive feedback from cutting the tight material.
Continue snipping all the yarn strands until the cardboard frame is clear. Count how many snips it took to complete the task.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure your child uses age-appropriate scissors safely. Collect all small yarn pieces immediately after the activity, as they are a choking hazard for children under five.