Skill: Visual Motor

How the eyes and hands work together as a team. This is essential for tasks where movement is guided by vision, like catching a ball, cutting on a line, or staying within the lines when coloring.

The Pipe Cleaner Bottle Hook

The Pipe Cleaner Bottle Hook

Steps:

  • Place an empty plastic bottle on a stable table.
  • Have your child use their pinching fingers to drop ten colorful beads into the bottle.
  • Give them a pipe cleaner and help them bend the tip into a small hook.
  • Ask your child to hold the bottle steady with their non-dominant helper hand.
  • Challenge them to lower the hook into the bottle and catch a bead.
  • Carefully pull the hooked bead all the way out through the narrow opening!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small beads are a choking hazard and should be kept away from mouths.

The Silver Foil Path Trace

The Silver Foil Path Trace

Steps:

  • Glue a sheet of aluminium foil onto a piece of cardboard.
  • Use your hands to smooth the foil until it is very flat.
  • Use a bright marker to draw a curvy path across the foil.
  • Ask your child to pick up a pom-pom using their pinching fingers.
  • Challenge them to slide the pom-pom slowly along the drawn path.
  • Try drawing a zigzag or a circle to make it harder!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Small pom-poms can be a choking hazard. Ensure the edges of the foil are tucked safely behind the cardboard to prevent any sharp edges.

The Galaxy Bead Spinner

The Galaxy Bead Spinner

Steps:

  • Fill a plastic bottle halfway with water.
  • Drop ten colorful beads into the water.
  • Use a marker to draw a target circle on the outside of the bottle.
  • Wrap masking tape around the cap and the neck to seal it shut.
  • Ask your child to hold the bottle in the middle with a firm grasp.
  • Challenge them to twist their wrist back and forth quickly.
  • The goal is to make the beads spin and touch the target circle.
  • Repeat until they are an expert at making tornadoes!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during water play. Ensure the bottle cap is sealed tightly to keep the beads safe.

The Paper Plate Time Teller

The Paper Plate Time Teller

Steps:

  • Write the numbers 1 to 12 around the edge of the plate.
  • Cut two long, narrow arrows from your cardboard piece.
  • Make one arrow shorter than the other.
  • Use your scissors to poke a tiny hole in the center of the plate.
  • Poke a hole in the bottom of both cardboard arrows.
  • Slide a paper clip through the arrows and the plate hole.
  • Bend the paper clip ends to hold everything together.
  • Challenge your child to spin the hands to show a specific time!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they use scissors. Ensure the paper clip is handled carefully. Keep all small parts away from the mouth.

The Paper Cup Catch-It

The Paper Cup Catch-It

Steps:

  • Use the scissors to cut a piece of string about two feet long.
  • Tape one end of the string to the side of the ping pong ball.
  • Tape the other end of the string inside the bottom of the paper cup.
  • Ask your child to hold the cup by the handle or the rim.
  • Swing the ball into the air and try to catch it inside the cup!
  • Challenge them to see how many times they can catch it in a row.
  • Try using the non-dominant hand for an extra challenge!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. The string should be kept away from the neck at all times. Ensure the ball is not aimed at others.