Tactile Perception

Wet Sponge Kernel Rescue

Steps:

Pour water into the bowl. Drop the corn kernels onto the dry sponge. Soak the sponge fully in the water until it is heavy and saturated.
Use both hands to lift the sponge out of the bowl. Squeeze the sponge hard over the bowl, pressing out all the water and kernels. This is heavy work!
Once the sponge is damp (not dripping), place it flat on the table. The wet kernels should be sticking slightly to the surface.
Hold the sponge steady with your helper hand. Use the tongs to carefully pick up each wet corn kernel one by one.
Transfer the rescued kernels into the empty plastic container. Repeat the soaking and squeezing steps when the sponge gets too dry.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Dry corn kernels are small, hard objects. They pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.

Cardboard Crunch Slot

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use masking tape to fully cover the opening of the plastic container. Cut one very narrow, tight slot (about 1.5 inches long) in the center of the taped lid.
Give your child a piece of firm cardboard. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the cardboard into small, jagged, postage stamp-sized pieces. Tearing this resistant material is heavy work!
Ask your child to hold the prepared container firmly with their helper hand to keep it stable on the table.
Pick up one torn, rough cardboard piece. Aim the piece at the narrow slot and turn it until it fits just right.
Use a strong, steady push with the fingertips to send the cardboard piece completely inside the container. Repeat until all the torn pieces are posted!

Safety Tip:
Cardboard scraps and masking tape are potential choking hazards. Constant, direct adult supervision is required throughout this activity. Ensure the child remains seated and does not put materials near their mouth.

Ribbon Slot Stuffing

Steps:

Adult Prep: Use the Scissors to cut three tight, narrow slots (about 1.5 inches long) into the Cardboard or the lid of the Container. Secure the Cardboard/lid tightly using Masking Tape.
Give the child long strips of Ribbon. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the Ribbon into small, stamp-sized pieces. Tearing wakes up the hand muscles!
Ask your child to hold the container steady with their helper hand (proximal stability) while it sits on the table.
Pick up one torn Ribbon piece. Crumple it tightly into a small ball using only their fingertips (working on pincer grasp and in-hand manipulation).
Aim the crumpled ribbon ball at a slot. Use a controlled, firm push with the index finger or thumb to send the ribbon piece completely inside the container. Repeat until the container is full!

Safety Tip:
Ribbon pieces are small objects. Constant and direct adult supervision is required throughout the activity, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Kernel Mosaic Cup

Steps:

Decorate the outside of the paper cup with markers. Keep the design simple, like stripes or dots.
Pour a small amount of liquid glue or paste onto a piece of construction paper to create a gluing palette.
Use your helper hand to hold the cup steady. Dip your marker-drawn cup directly into the glue palette, covering a small section with adhesive.
Pick up one dry corn kernel at a time using only your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Carefully place and press the kernel onto the glued section of the cup. Try to place the kernels close together like a mosaic.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the whole cup is covered in texture. Let your kernel mosaic dry completely!

Safety Tip:
Dry corn kernels are a small, hard choking hazard. Constant and direct adult supervision is mandatory for children under 5. Ensure all materials are collected immediately after play.

Sponge Stack Tilt

Steps:

Fill the bowl with water. Place the foam sponges inside to soak them fully.
Set the plastic container upside down on the floor to use as a narrow stacking platform.
Ask your child to kneel in front of the platform. This helps stabilize their core.
The child gently squeezes one sponge over the bowl to remove excess water.
Using both hands together, the child carries the damp sponge and stacks it carefully onto the container base.
Continue stacking sponges one by one. Count how many sponges they can stack before the tower falls over.

Safety Tip:
Since the floor might get wet, ensure the child is kneeling on a non-slip mat or towel to prevent accidental slips during movement.