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 Plate Balancing Act

The Paper Plate Balancing Act

Steps:

  • Place a paper plate on top of your child’s head.
  • Encourage them to stand still and find their balance.
  • Carefully set one paper cup on the center of the plate.
  • Ask your child to walk slowly across the room.
  • Challenge them to reach a target like a couch or chair.
  • Once they are steady, add a second cup to the stack!
  • See how many cups they can balance before the stack wobbles off.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the walking path is clear of toys or rugs that could cause a trip.

The Balancing Plate Bead Challenge

The Balancing Plate Bead Challenge

Steps:

  • Place the paper cup upside down on a flat table.
  • Use a small piece of masking tape to secure the cup to the table.
  • Carefully set the paper plate on top of the upside-down cup.
  • Give your child a small bowl of beads and a spoon.
  • Ask them to scoop one bead and place it on the plate.
  • Challenge them to add more beads without the plate falling off the cup!

Safety Tip:
Beads are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child. Keep all small materials away from younger siblings.

The Rainbow Hand Weaver

The Rainbow Hand Weaver

Steps:

  • Trace your child’s hand onto a sturdy piece of cardboard using a marker.
  • Use a hole puncher to make one hole at the tip of each finger and one at the wrist.
  • Tie a long piece of colorful yarn to the hole at the wrist.
  • Show your child how to thread the yarn through the thumb hole first.
  • Encourage them to weave the yarn back to the wrist and then up to the next finger.
  • Continue until every finger is connected to the wrist with a beautiful yarn bridge.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using a hole puncher or handling long pieces of yarn.

The Ribbon Ladder Rescue

The Ribbon Ladder Rescue

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure two long ribbons vertically onto a wall.
  • Space the ribbons about five inches apart so the sticks fit between them.
  • Ensure the ribbons are pulled tight from the top to the bottom.
  • Give your child a handful of clothespins and several colorful craft sticks.
  • Ask them to hold a craft stick horizontally against the two ribbons.
  • Show them how to clip the stick to the ribbons using the clothespins.
  • Repeat this to build several rungs all the way up the wall.
  • Once the ladder is finished, they can use their fingers to climb it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to ensure they do not pull the ribbon off the wall or put materials in their mouth.

Balloon Tap and Cup Sort

Balloon Tap and Cup Sort

Steps:

  • Blow up a balloon and tie it tightly.
  • Place a basket on the carpet filled with five paper cups.
  • Set a second empty basket a short distance away.
  • Ask your child to tap the balloon into the air with their right hand.
  • While it is in the air, they must use their left hand to move one cup.
  • See how many cups they can move before the balloon hits the floor!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because balloons and their broken pieces are a serious choking hazard for young children.