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.

The Paper Roll Pincer Squeezer

The Paper Roll Pincer Squeezer

Steps:

  • Use your scissors to cut several empty paper rolls into small rings about one inch thick.
  • Let your child decorate each ring with colorful patterns using the markers.
  • Adult Step: Cut four narrow vertical slots into a flat piece of sturdy cardboard base.
  • Ask your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to squeeze one paper roll ring until it is flat.
  • Challenge them to slide the flattened ring into a slot on the cardboard base to make it stand up.
  • Continue squeezing and sliding more rings into each other to build a tall and wobbly sculpture!
  • Encourage your child to use their helper hand to hold the base steady while the other hand adds new pieces.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child while they are using scissors. Make sure the cardboard edges are smooth to avoid any small scrapes during play.

The Paper Cup Catch-It

The Paper Cup Catch-It

Steps:

  • Use the scissors to cut a piece of string about two feet long.
  • Tape one end of the string to the side of the ping pong ball.
  • Tape the other end of the string inside the bottom of the paper cup.
  • Ask your child to hold the cup by the handle or the rim.
  • Swing the ball into the air and try to catch it inside the cup!
  • Challenge them to see how many times they can catch it in a row.
  • Try using the non-dominant hand for an extra challenge!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. The string should be kept away from the neck at all times. Ensure the ball is not aimed at others.

The Ziplock Air Launcher

The Ziplock Air Launcher

Steps:

  • Cut a small rectangle of construction paper and wrap it around a straw.
  • Use a tiny piece of masking tape to secure the paper into a tube.
  • Tape one end of the tube shut to create the rocket nose.
  • Slide the straw into the corner of a Ziplock bag.
  • Seal the bag and use tape to make the opening airtight.
  • Place the paper rocket over the end of the straw.
  • Use both hands to give the bag a fast squeeze to launch the rocket!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Ensure the paper rocket is not aimed at faces or people.

The Vertical Cloud Garden

Boy reaching up with tongs to drop a cotton ball into a paper cup taped to the wall

Steps:

  • Help your child pick four colorful paper cups for their wall garden.
  • Use your masking tape to stick the bottom of each cup to a wall.
  • Make sure the cups are at your child’s shoulder height to work those muscles.
  • Place a basket of soft cotton balls on the floor nearby.
  • Give your child the tongs and show them how to squeeze and pick up one ball.
  • Challenge them to reach up and drop the cotton ball into a cup!
  • Try using only their left hand for two cups and their right hand for the others.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they do not put cotton balls in their mouth.

The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

The Masking Tape Finger Ladder

Steps:

  • Tape a large piece of cardboard vertically to a wall at your child’s eye level.
  • Use a marker to draw two long vertical lines on the cardboard to look like a ladder frame.
  • Cut ten short strips of masking tape using your scissors.
  • Stick the tape strips between the lines to create the ladder rungs.
  • Ask your child to ‘walk’ their index and middle fingers up the ladder like a tiny person.
  • Once they reach the top, have them use their pinching fingers to peel the top rung off.
  • Continue walking and peeling until every rung is in a pile on the floor!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child closely during play. Ensure they do not put masking tape in their mouth. Make sure the cardboard is secured firmly to the wall.