Proximal Stability - Page 41 of 46

Cap Twister Rings

Steps:

Prep: An adult should cut the pipe cleaners into small 4-inch strips. Place the container and the strips on the table.
Show the child how to firmly hold the body of the plastic container steady with one hand (the helper hand) to ensure it doesn’t move.
Demonstrate how to take a pipe cleaner strip and use the fingertips of the other hand to tightly twist and wrap it around the ridges of the container cap, creating a tight ring.
Challenge the child to continue wrapping the pipe cleaner strips until the entire cap is covered in colorful, tight rings.
For extra practice, encourage the child to use the opposite rotation (untwisting and unwinding) to remove all the pipe cleaner rings before starting the challenge again.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Since this activity involves pipe cleaners cut into small pieces, they can pose a potential choking hazard and should be immediately collected and stored safely after the activity.

Noodle Mountain Roll

A preschool girl guiding a tennis ball down a vertical DIY pool noodle track taped to cardboard. She is using bilateral hand use and focusing intently; A close-up view of a child crossing midline to reach the top of a homemade pool noodle ball ramp secured with colorful masking tape in a kitchen setting.

Steps:

An adult should safely cut the pool noodle lengthwise to create a long U-shaped channel (this will be your ramp).
Help your child use masking tape to secure the pool noodle ramps onto a large piece of standing cardboard or a sturdy wall in a zigzag or spiral pattern. Make sure the segments line up so the tennis ball can transfer easily.
Have your child stand centered in front of the track. Encourage them to start the tennis ball at the top, using both hands together to place the ball gently into the ramp opening.
As the ball rolls down, encourage them to follow the ball visually and use one hand to stabilize the cardboard wall (or the noodle itself) while the other hand reaches across their body (crossing midline) to catch the ball or guide it into the next section.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the cardboard or base used for the track is stable and cannot tip over or fall onto the child. Always supervise standing activities.

Carousel Clip Spin

Steps:

Use markers to decorate the paper plate or cardboard circle (your carousel base).
Take 6 to 8 craft sticks. Use the clothespins to clip these sticks firmly around the edge of the plate. Make sure the sticks point straight out like spokes.
Place the plate on a stable surface. Use your helper hand to hold the plate steady.
Challenge your child to use their thumb and pointer finger to pinch and flick one of the craft sticks. The goal is to make the entire carousel spin slowly.
Try flicking different sticks to change the direction or speed of the spin. Focus on keeping the stabilizing hand still for a challenge.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child maintains good posture. Encourage them to sit with their feet flat on the floor to promote core stability while working on this fine motor task.

Tower Sticker Challenge

Steps:

Prepare the target: Stack 3 to 4 empty Boxes on top of each other to create a stable, eye-level tower. Cover the tower sides with Paper and secure the paper firmly using Masking Tape.
Pre-peel the Stickers: Carefully peel most of the backing off 10-15 large Stickers (like dot stickers or large shapes) and place them securely onto the edge of the table or highchair tray, leaving a small corner for the child to grasp.
Challenge the Pincer Grasp: Encourage your child to use only their thumb and pointer finger to peel the rest of the Sticker off the table edge.
Attach the Stickers: Guide the child to walk over to the tower. Encourage them to use their helper hand to stabilize the Box while the dominant hand presses the sticker firmly onto the paper surface. Try to cover all sides of the tower!

Safety Tip:
Due to the risk of choking, constant, close adult supervision is required during this activity, as small stickers and paper pieces can easily be placed in the mouth by toddlers.

Fuzzy Stick Twister

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a simple shape or a target zone (like a thick stripe) on the center of one craft stick.
Place the craft stick flat on the table. Ask your child to hold the stick very steady with their non-dominant hand.
Encourage the child to take one pipe cleaner and use their dominant hand fingers to tightly twist the fuzzy stick around the craft stick. The goal is to cover the marked zone completely.
Challenge them to keep the wraps tight and neat. Once finished, they can unwrap the pipe cleaner for another round, practicing the reverse movement.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required during this activity. Ensure the pipe cleaner ends are curled slightly before use, as cut wire can be sharp. Monitor closely to prevent the child from placing the materials in their mouth, as small pieces pose a choking hazard.