Sequencing - Page 7 of 11

Strong Punch Lacing Board

Steps:

Prep the cardboard by covering it with colored construction paper if desired. Use a marker to draw a simple shape or pattern on the board.
Hold the cardboard firmly with your helper hand. Challenge your child to squeeze the hole puncher hard to create holes around the drawn shape.
Cut a long piece of yarn. Tie one end of the yarn securely onto the first punched hole.
Thread the yarn through the holes, using both hands together to push and pull the string. Try to follow the drawn pattern.
When you reach the end, encourage your child to practice tying the two loose ends of the yarn into a simple knot. They must use precise pincer grips to manage the string.

Safety Tip:
Maintain constant adult supervision. Hole punchers can pinch fingers if not used properly. Small yarn pieces are a potential choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths.

Precision Glue Constellations

Steps:

Draw a constellation map on the construction paper. Use a marker to draw 8-10 dots (stars) and number them sequentially.
Glue the map to the cardboard base to keep it stable. Place the sequins in a small, shallow container.
Hold the glue bottle like a pencil. Starting at dot number one, squeeze the glue bottle with controlled force to draw a neat line to dot number two.
Continue connecting all the numbered dots with a thin line of glue, working on steady pressure to keep the line smooth.
Immediately sprinkle the sequins over the wet glue lines, covering the entire constellation path. Shake off the excess and admire your starry art!

Safety Tip:
Glue and sequins are non-toxic but require supervision. Ensure the child washes hands immediately after play and does not put sequins near the face or mouth.

Web Lacing Rescue

Steps:

Adult Prep: Lay strips of masking tape sticky-side up across the cardboard edge, securing the ends underneath to make a sticky “loom.”
Leave about one inch of space between each sticky tape strip.
Cut a piece of yarn about 18 inches long. Tape one end of the yarn securely to the end of a craft stick to create your ‘needle.’
Hold the cardboard loom steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to weave the craft stick and yarn “needle” under the first tape strip.
Next, challenge yourself to weave the yarn *over* the second tape strip, then under the third, creating a woven pattern across the sticky web.
Continue weaving across the web. When finished, carefully peel the woven yarn and tape off the cardboard to reveal your colorful woven mat!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the craft stick has no sharp edges before taping the yarn on. Closely supervise the child to ensure they do not pull the masking tape off the surface and place it in their mouth.

The Gravity Trap Challenge

Step 1: Set the Foundation. Have your child build a medium-sized tower (about 10-15 blocks tall) on a sturdy surface. This foundation needs to be stable enough to handle tension.

Step 2: Create the Lever. Place an index card onto one of the upper layers of the tower, allowing a small portion of the card to hang slightly over the edge. This will be the unstable platform.

Step 3: Tie the Trap. Guide your child to tie a long piece of string to a block at the very base of the structure. Then, loop the string up and over the edge of the index card ‘lever’ created in Step 2.

Step 4: Place the Keystone. Identify one specific ‘keystone’ block and balance it precariously on the index card, positioned directly over the string loop. This is the block that must fall first.

Step 5: Execute the Plan! Have your child move several feet away, holding the free end of the string. The goal is to apply tension or a quick, smooth pull on the string to dislodge the keystone block, initiating a chain-reaction collapse of the entire tower. They must judge the exact force needed for success!

Step 6: Assess and Adjust. Discuss what worked and what didn’t. Did the tower fall as planned? If not, sequence the steps again and troubleshoot the structure or the tension.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the activity area is clear of trip hazards. Supervise closely when children are handling string to prevent accidental wrapping around the neck or fingers.

Sequin Push Maze

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a winding path or simple maze onto the foam sheet.
Place the foam sheet flat on the table. Ask your child to hold the sheet steady with their helper hand.
Put a small pile of colorful sequins at the starting point of the maze.
Challenge your child to pick up one sequin using a strong pincer grasp.
Switch grip: Use only the tip of their pointer finger to gently push the sequin along the drawn line to the finish.
The child must use steady pressure and friction to keep the sequin moving without flying off the foam.

Safety Tip:
Sequins are very small objects. Close adult supervision is required throughout the activity as they pose a significant choking hazard for children under five.