Sequencing - Page 8 of 11

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.

Paper Plate Fortress

Steps:

Gather your materials: a paper plate (this is your foundation), several index cards, and a roll of masking tape. Keep the scissors nearby for cutting tape.
Challenge your child to fold the index cards into structural shapes, such as folding them into thirds lengthwise to create strong triangular pillars, or curling them into a cylinder and securing the edge. Focus on making precise, sharp folds!
Encourage them to cut small, manageable pieces of masking tape and use these to secure the folds, ensuring the structures are stable and strong enough to support weight.
Using the paper plate as a base, have your child construct a sturdy ‘fortress’ or tower by taping the folded index card pieces together and attaching them securely to the plate. How tall can they make it?

Safety Tip:
Ensure your child is using age-appropriate scissors safely and maintaining good sitting posture (feet flat on the floor, elbows resting comfortably on the table) to maximize fine motor control.

Egg Cup Dot Art

Steps:

Prepare the palette by cutting the lid off an egg carton. Place a small dab of glue or paint inside the bottom of each egg cup.
Give the child one piece of construction paper and several Q-tips. Encourage them to hold the Q-tip using their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Challenge the child to dip the Q-tip into one cup to collect the paint or glue.
The goal is to carefully transfer the Q-tip to the construction paper to make precise dots or follow a pre-drawn line.
Encourage the child to switch colors and fill the entire paper with dots. They must stabilize the paper with their helper hand.

Safety Tip:
Due to the small size of the Q-tips and glue/paint, close adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are not for eating or placing near the face.

Slot & Stitch Sculpture

Steps:

Prepare the structure ‘parts’ by cutting several index cards into different shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles). Then, cut small, narrow slots (about 1/4 inch deep) into the edges of each card. (Adult help required for cutting slots.)
Challenge your child to connect the slotted cards by sliding them into each other to create a 3D structure, like a tall building, a bridge, or a fun abstract sculpture.
Using the hole puncher, encourage your child to punch several holes around the edges of the assembled structure. Remind them to hold the structure steady with one hand while squeezing the puncher with the other to strengthen their grasp.
Give your child long pieces of yarn. Demonstrate how to weave the yarn through the punched holes to ‘stitch’ the structure together, reinforcing the corners and decorating their sculpture with color.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise the use of child-safe scissors. Yarn and small pieces of index card can pose a choking hazard for children who still mouth objects; ensure all pieces are kept away from the mouth.

Crumple Pin Bowling

Steps:

Build the ‘Crumple Pins’: Give the child 6 to 10 paper rolls (like toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Encourage them to use both hands to crumple each roll tightly into a dense, firm ‘pin’ shape. Secure each crumpled shape firmly with small pieces of masking tape to ensure they hold their structure.
Set up the Lane: Use masking tape to mark a ‘foul line’ on the floor. Arrange the crumpled pins in a triangle formation 5 to 10 feet away from the line (adjust distance based on space and skill level).
Bowl: Challenge the child to stand behind the line and roll the ball toward the pins, focusing on aiming and grading the force of their roll to knock down as many pins as possible.
Score and Reset: Count how many pins were knocked down. Encourage the child to reset the pins (sequencing and motor planning) before taking their next turn.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bowling area is clear of furniture, toys, and other trip hazards. Encourage children to reset the pins safely without rushing or running.