Shoulder Strength - Page 6 of 12

The Vertical Sponge Trail

Steps:

Secure a long piece of butcher paper vertically to a wall at your child’s shoulder height using masking tape.
Use a marker to draw a simple, winding path across the paper.
Place a bowl of water on a nearby table or the floor.
Ask your child to soak the sponge and squeeze it until it is damp.
Challenge them to trace the path by squeezing the sponge along the marker line to leave a wet trail.
Encourage them to keep their arm high as they follow the winding road.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Ensure that the floor beneath the paper is kept dry to prevent slips or falls.

Foil Pan Table Skater

Steps:

Use masking tape to create a winding track on a table.
Use markers to draw arrows on the tape to show the way.
Place two sponges inside the aluminium foil pan for hand cushions.
Have your child stand and place one hand on each sponge.
Ask them to slide the pan along the tape path.
They should follow the curves without lifting the pan.
Encourage them to reach far to the left and right.

Safety Tip:
Make sure the table is at a comfortable height for your child to lean on safely.

Air-Power Cup Delivery

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it closed.
Cut a piece of string about two feet long.
Tape one end of the string to the balloon.
Tape the other end of the string to the bottom of a paper cup.
Place five beans inside the cup for weight.
Set the cup on a smooth floor.
Give your child a paper plate to use as a fan.
Challenge your child to fan the balloon with the plate.
They must move the balloon and cup to a target.
Reach the finish line without the cup tipping over!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Beans and broken balloons are choking hazards. Keep uninflated balloons away from children.

Floating Balloon Paddle Tap

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie yarn to the end.
Use masking tape to stick the yarn to a door.
Let the balloon hang low enough for your child to reach.
Give them a paper plate to hold like a paddle.
Ask them to tap the balloon with the plate.
See how many times they can hit it in a row.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children with balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a serious choking hazard. Ensure the yarn is not long enough to wrap around the neck.

Twist and Drill Wall Work

Steps:

First, use the masking tape to secure a piece of sturdy cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door at your child’s chest height.
Press a large, thick lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly onto the center of the vertical cardboard. This is your resistant drill target.
Hold the craft stick like a pencil. Encourage your child to use their helper hand to stabilize the cardboard next to the putty.
Aim the craft stick at the putty. Use strong finger pressure and a twisting motion to ‘drill’ the stick deep into the resistant putty.
Switch directions and twist the stick the opposite way to pull it out. Repeat this drill motion, filling the putty surface with holes.
Try putting all the sticks in, then pull them out. See how fast you can twist and drill all the sticks into the target!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Theraputty (or playdough) and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.