Skill: Tripod Grasp

Holding a pencil or crayon using the thumb and first two fingers. This is the most efficient way to write because it lets the fingers do the moving while the hand stays comfortable.

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Sticky Sequin Tongs Pull

Steps:

  • Squeeze several small, thick dots of liquid glue onto a sturdy piece of cardboard.
  • Press one sequin firmly into the center of each wet glue dot. Let the glue set for 15 minutes until it is very tacky and resistant.
  • Ask your child to hold the cardboard steady with their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize the base.
  • Use the tongs to firmly pinch one sequin. Encourage them to hold the tongs like a pencil.
  • Use a strong, controlled pull to peel the sticky dot completely off the cardboard surface.
  • Transfer the rescued sequin and drop it precisely into the empty container target. Repeat until all the dots are pulled free!

Safety Tip:
Sequins and small glue dots are tiny materials. Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure all small pieces are collected immediately after play, as they pose a choking hazard.

Felt Punch Mosaic Art

Felt Punch Mosaic Art

Steps:

  • Secure the felt sheet firmly onto the cardboard using masking tape on all edges. This creates a stable punching surface.
  • Show your child how to hold the hole puncher. Challenge them to squeeze the puncher hard to create many small, round felt pieces (confetti).
  • Transfer the punched felt confetti into a small container.
  • Use the glue bottle to draw a simple design or shape onto the construction paper.
  • Use the tweezers to pick up the tiny felt circles. Encourage a strong, controlled pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger).
  • Carefully transfer and press the felt pieces onto the wet glue design until the shape is completely filled.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. The small felt pieces and cardboard punch-outs are very small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths.

Pom-pom Poking Garden

Pom-pom Poking Garden

Steps:

  • Set up the ‘garden bed’ by pressing a large chunk of playdough firmly into the bottom or lid of the plastic container, creating a flat, stable surface (the ‘soil’).
  • Give the child a handful of toothpicks. Encourage them to hold the toothpick using their three working fingers (thumb, index, and middle finger) just like they hold a pencil, and poke several deep ‘starter holes’ into the playdough.
  • Present the pom-poms (the ‘flowers’). Challenge the child to pick up one pom-pom at a time using only their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp).
  • The child then carefully places the pom-pom onto the top of an upright toothpick, creating a colorful and pointy ‘garden.’ Continue until the garden is full!
  • When finished, encourage the child to carefully remove the pom-poms and toothpicks, working on the opposite motion (pulling up) to vary the resistance.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise closely due to the sharp ends of the toothpicks. Ensure the child remains seated while working to maintain focus and stability, discouraging standing or carrying the toothpicks while walking.

Tracing Stencils

Stencil Trace

For this activity, you can use many different types of stencils to trace.

Provide the child with different stencils and have him/her trace inside or outside the stencil.

The child can also finger-paint inside these stencils.

Helpful Tip:

If the child has difficulties with bilateral hand use, you may want to tape the stencil to the surface the child works on.

Pick the Toothpick

Put a piece of styrofoam sheet or block on the floor or on a slanted surface and have the child push the toothpicks into the styrofoam.

If the styrofoam is on the floor have the child lay prone and weight bear on the elbows.

Give the child a shape, a letter, or a pattern to trace over in order to develop visual-motor skills.