Tracking - Page 3 of 3

Thumb Flick Target Game

Steps:

Use markers to draw a simple target or bullseye onto several index cards. You can assign point values for older children.
Secure the index cards flat onto a table using masking tape around all four edges. This prevents the card from moving.
Place a small pile of colorful buttons from the container near a designated start line on the card.
Show your child how to use the pad of their thumb to gently flick the button forward. The thumb should use the pointer finger as a stabilizer (thumb opposition).
Challenge your child to flick each button until it lands completely inside a target zone. If the button flies off the table, try using less force.

Safety Tip:
Buttons are small items that pose a choking hazard. Maintain constant, close adult supervision throughout this activity. Ensure all buttons are collected immediately after play.

Fine Motor Marble Maze

In this activity, we create a marble maze to promote fine motor skills.

Start by gluing the straws on the cardboard. You will need to glue each straw on the opposite side as follows:

Glue the 1st straw aligned to the left edge of the cardboard
Glue next straw aligned to the right side of the cardboard
Keep gluing straws all the way to the bottom of the cardboard
Make sure to create a space for the marble to go through between the straws
The end result should look like this:

Let the glue dry.

We used a gallon size zip lock bag but you can use a smaller zip lock bag to create a smaller maze.

At the bottom edge of the zip lock bag, cut a small slit. Make sure you cut it on the side the marble will come out from.

Once the glue is dry and the straws are secured, insert the cardboard into the ziplock bag.

Close the ziplock bag almost all the way, leaving a small opening for the marble to fit in.

Put the marble through the opening and start moving it with your finger through the maze until it comes out at the bottom.

You can alternate the fingers you use to move the marble or you can use both hands to hold the cardboard and move it from side to side, letting the marble slide out.

Capture the Marble

For this activity, you need 2 players (adult and child or two children).

Sit or stand across from each other at a table.

Each person should hold a plastic cup in one hand.

One person rolls a marble to the other person at a slow pace.

The second person places their cup on top of the marble trapping the marble under the cup.

Then they push their cup towards the first person sending the marble rolling to them at a moderate pace.

Then the first person captures the marble and this back and forth game continues on.

This activity can be graded by using a tennis ball or a ping-pong ball instead of the marble as well as using a large round container instead of the plastic cup.

In addition, you can be rolling the ball fast or slow, follow a path when passing the ball from one another, catching the ball as it rolls off the edge of the table, or using your hands instead of cups.