Skill: Shoulder Strength

Stability in the upper arms and shoulders allows the hands to do delicate work. Strong shoulders help kids write or draw for longer periods without getting tired.

Resistant Gate Push

Resistant Gate Push

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use masking tape to secure the foam sheet tightly onto the cardboard piece for maximum stability.
  • Adult Prep: Use scissors to cut 8 to 10 narrow, short slits (about 1.5 inches long) randomly across the foam surface. Ensure the slits are very tight.
  • Encourage your child to use both hands to bend and twist the pipe cleaners into small, rigid shapes like tight coils, flat squares, or stiff hooks. Ensure they are strong.
  • Challenge your child to hold the stable cardboard base firmly steady with their helper hand.
  • Pick up one rigid pipe cleaner shape. Aim the shape at a narrow slit and use a strong, controlled push to insert the entire shape through the resistant foam gate. Feel the effort!
  • Repeat this forceful pushing and threading action until all the slits have been successfully filled with colorful pipe cleaner shapes.

Safety Tip:
Adults must handle the scissors for cutting the narrow slits. Supervise closely as children manipulate pipe cleaners, ensuring the ends are tucked or curled to prevent scratches while pushing.

Resistant Yarn Unwind Challenge

Resistant Yarn Unwind Challenge

Steps:

  • Press a large lump of playdough firmly into the bottom of the container to create a heavy anchor base.
  • Decorate a long piece of yarn by pressing sequins or stickers onto it. Use a dot of glue to secure one end of the yarn tightly onto a craft stick.
  • Firmly push the non-glued end of the craft stick deep into the playdough base until it stands upright and feels stable.
  • Help your child tightly wrap the decorated yarn around the standing craft stick until only a small tail hangs free.
  • Challenge your child to hold the container firmly steady with their non-dominant hand.
  • Using their dominant hand, they must pull the yarn tail steadily and forcefully to unwind the yarn from the stick and the resistant playdough anchor.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Yarn, sequins, and playdough are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are not ingested.

Putty Piston Push

Putty Piston Push

Steps:

  • Press a large lump of Theraputty (or stiff playdough) firmly into the bottom of the Plastic Container or lid to create a stable, resistant base.
  • Place the small Beads and Craft Sticks in separate piles next to the container. Ask your child to sit stably at the work area.
  • Challenge the child to use their non-dominant hand to firmly hold the container steady on the table.
  • Pick up one craft stick. Use a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger) to balance one small bead onto the end of the stick.
  • Aim the loaded stick at the putty. Use a strong, controlled push to drive the stick deep into the resistant base, ‘planting’ the bead.
  • Repeat this action until the entire putty base is filled with sticks. Encourage maximum pushing effort for heavy work input!

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Beads and Theraputty/Playdough are small objects and pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Sponge Weight Release

Sponge Weight Release

Steps:

  • Place a large empty bucket on one side of the room. Place a lightweight stuffed animal target inside.
  • Fill a separate container halfway with water. Soak the sponge until it is heavy and saturated.
  • Encourage your child to pick up the wet sponge using a strong, whole-hand grasp.
  • Have them carry the heavy sponge over to the empty bucket/target zone. They must maintain stability while transporting the weight.
  • Once positioned over the target, challenge your child to squeeze the sponge as hard as they can. They must release all the water into the target bucket.
  • Repeat the process of soaking, carrying, and squeezing until the target stuffed animal is soaking wet or the child tires.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. This activity involves water. Ensure the playing area is non-slip to prevent falls, especially during carrying motions. Ensure the child only uses the sponge and water as intended.

Resistant Card Weave Pull

Resistant Card Weave Pull

Steps:

  • Ask an adult to cut 8 to 10 index cards into thick, uniform strips (about 1 inch wide).
  • Weave the strips together tightly in an over-under checkerboard pattern to create a square ‘mat’.
  • An adult should securely wrap masking tape around the entire perimeter of the woven square. Wrap the tape tightly to keep the weave stable and add resistance.
  • Place the finished woven card square flat on a stable table. Challenge your child to hold the square firmly steady with their non-dominant hand (the helper hand).
  • Encourage your child to use their working hand to grasp the edge of one woven strip and pull it straight out of the resistant tape frame.
  • The pulling requires strong, controlled force. Continue pulling the strips free until the entire woven piece has been unraveled. Drop the rescued strips into the container.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Adults should handle the scissors during preparation. Ensure the child remains seated stably when performing the strong pulling motions.