Skill: Proximal Stability

Strength and steadiness in the center of the body. A stable core and shoulders provide a solid base so the hands can be steady for writing or cutting.

Foil Cap Tweezer Feed

Foil Cap Tweezer Feed

Steps:

  • Tear the aluminum foil into small, manageable strips using both hands.
  • Use your fingertips to tightly crumple each strip into a dense ‘rock.’ Place these rocks in the container.
  • Hold the bottle firmly steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to twist the cap off completely.
  • Pick up the tweezers. Use a precise pincer grasp to grab one tiny foil rock.
  • Carefully carry and drop the foil rock into the narrow bottle opening.
  • Twist the cap firmly back onto the bottle. Repeat the whole sequence until the bottle is full.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children compress the foil tightly to avoid sharp edges. Collect all small foil pieces and tweezers immediately after play, as they pose a potential choking hazard.

Wet Paper Squeeze & Drop

Wet Paper Squeeze & Drop

Steps:

  • Tear the newspaper into small strips using both hands. Focus on strong, controlled pulls.
  • Fill the bucket halfway with water. Submerge the newspaper strips until they are fully saturated and mushy.
  • Grab a large handful of wet paper. Squeeze the paper tightly over the bucket to remove the water. Aim for maximum effort!
  • Squeeze the remaining damp paper firmly into dense, hard balls (your ‘fortress rocks’).
  • Place the empty plastic container target nearby. Hold the container steady with your helper hand.
  • Use your working hand to aim and drop the wet paper ball precisely into the narrow target opening. Repeat until all rocks are delivered.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure children do not place wet paper or small pieces of material in their mouths. This activity can be messy; choose a water-safe work area.

Tension Net Drop

Tension Net Drop

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Twist two pipe cleaners tightly together to make 3 to 4 thick, sturdy “bands.”
  • Stretch the pipe cleaner bands across the container opening. Crisscross them to create a tight, resistant net.
  • Use masking tape to anchor the ends firmly to the container sides.
  • Place the buttons and craft sticks nearby. Ask your child to pick up a button using their pincer grasp.
  • Hold the container firmly steady with their helper hand. This provides proximal stability.
  • Use the craft stick to aim the button at the resistant pipe cleaner net.
  • Encourage a strong, controlled push to send the button popping through the network.
  • Repeat until all buttons are successfully dropped inside.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Buttons, pipe cleaners, and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Steps:

  • Squeeze several small, thick dots of liquid glue onto a sturdy piece of cardboard.
  • Press one sequin firmly into the center of each wet glue dot. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until it is very tacky and resistant.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Use the tongs to firmly pinch one sequin. Encourage them to hold the tongs like a pencil.
  • Use a strong, controlled pull to peel the sticky dot completely off the cardboard surface.
  • Transfer the rescued sequin and drop it precisely into the empty container target. Repeat until all the dots are pulled free!

Safety Tip:
Sequins and small glue dots are tiny materials. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all small pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.

Sticky Feather Knockdown Challenge

Sticky Feather Knockdown Challenge

Steps:

  • Secure a piece of cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door using masking tape.
  • Use strips of masking tape, sticky side OUT, to create a large landing zone at the bottom of the cardboard.
  • Lightly secure several feathers across the upper area of the cardboard using small pieces of masking tape. They should be easy to knock off.
  • Fill the trigger style spray bottle with water. Encourage the child to hold the bottle firmly.
  • Aim the stream of water directly at one of the feather targets. Squeeze the trigger hard to knock the feather down.
  • The goal is to aim the feather so it falls into the sticky landing zone below. Repeat until all feathers are rescued.
  • Collect the rescued feathers and repeat the challenge by sticking them back onto the cardboard.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the child aims the water stream only at the target and never towards people or electrical outlets. Confirm the cardboard is securely fastened and cannot fall during play.