Proximal Stability - Page 39 of 46

Fence Post Push

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use the scissors to cut several narrow, short slots (about 1-inch long) across the surface of the cardboard. Keep the slots tight to add resistance.
Set up the area by standing the cardboard vertically on a table. Place the craft sticks in the container next to the cardboard barrier.
Show your child how to use their ‘helper hand’ to hold and stabilize the cardboard fence, keeping it perfectly steady.
Using the working hand, pick up one craft stick at a time. Aim the stick at a slot and use a strong, controlled push to insert it through the cardboard.
Encourage your child to continue inserting sticks until the entire cardboard is full of colorful fence posts. Try pushing sticks into slots placed at different heights.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required during the preparation phase when using scissors. Ensure the child sits stably at the table while performing the pushing action.

Line Up Clips

Steps:

Use markers to color several craft sticks different bright colors.
Secure a long piece of string tautly between two chairs or tape it firmly to a wall at your child’s chest height. This is your clothesline.
Challenge your child to use a strong pincer grip to clip one clothespin onto the center of each colorful craft stick.
Have your child hold the string steady with their helper hand to provide a stable base.
Using their dominant hand, encourage them to clip the stick-and-clip unit onto the clothesline, lining up the colorful sticks in a specific order.

Safety Tip:
Clothespins can be small and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Always supervise this activity closely and ensure all pieces are collected after playtime.

Vertical Bead Run

Steps:

Adult Prep: Cut the paper rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls) into short, 1-inch segments.
Glue the paper roll segments onto the large cardboard piece. Arrange them in a zigzag or winding track from top to bottom.
Secure the cardboard track vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s chest height. Place the plastic container directly beneath the exit point of the track.
Encourage your child to stand tall and use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pick up a bead.
Challenge them to aim and carefully drop the bead into the top opening of the track.
Visually track the bead as it rolls down the track. Repeat until all beads are successfully collected in the container.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Maintain constant adult supervision throughout the activity. Ensure the cardboard track is securely fastened to the wall to prevent movement during play.

Vertical Brick Layers

Find a safe vertical surface, like a sliding glass door, or just a regular wall. Use the masking tape to create a square “construction zone” frame on the surface, right at your child’s eye level.

Have your child pinch off small pieces of playdough and roll them into little balls using their thumb and index finger (this is the “cement”).

Ask your child to stick a playdough ball onto the back of a craft stick (the “brick”).

Now, have them press the craft stick firmly onto the wall inside the taped zone so it sticks. Challenge them to build straight rows of bricks from the bottom up to fill the whole square!

Safety Tip: Always supervise to ensure playdough is not eaten. Test a small piece of masking tape on your wall first to make sure it doesn’t damage paint or wallpaper when removed.

Sponge Stack Tilt

Steps:

Fill the bowl with water. Place the foam sponges inside to soak them fully.
Set the plastic container upside down on the floor to use as a narrow stacking platform.
Ask your child to kneel in front of the platform. This helps stabilize their core.
The child gently squeezes one sponge over the bowl to remove excess water.
Using both hands together, the child carries the damp sponge and stacks it carefully onto the container base.
Continue stacking sponges one by one. Count how many sponges they can stack before the tower falls over.

Safety Tip:
Since the floor might get wet, ensure the child is kneeling on a non-slip mat or towel to prevent accidental slips during movement.