Skill: Wrist Extension

Holding the wrist bent slightly back, like when making a ‘stop’ sign. This position stabilizes the hand so the fingers are free to move efficiently for writing or holding small objects.

Coil Wrap Precision

Coil Wrap Precision

Steps:

  • Use markers to color the craft sticks with different patterns or colors. This makes the finished product more visually appealing.
  • Place the colored craft stick flat on the table and hold it firmly with your helper hand to keep it from rolling (proximal stability).
  • Take one pipe cleaner. Use the fingertips of your dominant hand to tightly wrap the pipe cleaner around the craft stick, creating neat, tight coils.
  • Try to wrap the coil as close and tight as possible. When one pipe cleaner is finished, secure the end and wrap a new one until the stick is covered.
  • Open the container of small stickers. Use your precise pincer grasp to peel one sticker off the backing.
  • Challenge yourself to place the small sticker exactly onto one of the tight pipe cleaner coils. Use a firm press to secure it. Fill the coils with colorful stickers!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the child maintains good seated posture (feet flat on the floor) to support the fine motor movements. Check the ends of the pipe cleaners for sharp edges before starting.

Styro-Dart Challenge

School-age boy aiming a pipe cleaner dart at a Styrofoam target to practice wrist extension, shoulder strength, and ocular control in a home playroom.

Steps:

  • Help your child draw a bullseye target on the Styrofoam block using markers. Assign different point values to the rings (e.g., 50 points for the center, 10 points for the outer ring).
  • Transform the pipe cleaners into ‘darts.’ Have your child fold one end into a small, easy-to-grip loop (the handle). Tightly curl the opposite end into a sharp spiral or point that will stick into the Styrofoam.
  • Set up the target using the cardboard as a stand/easel. Have your child stand 3 to 5 feet away. Emphasize holding the dart so their wrist is slightly bent back (extended) for better control before aiming.
  • Challenge your child to toss the pipe cleaner darts at the target, trying to grade their force (proprioception) so the dart sticks in without bouncing off. Keep track of points for a fun competition!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the children stand far enough apart if multiple children are playing. Supervise to ensure the pipe cleaner ‘darts’ are only thrown at the designated Styrofoam target and not toward faces or other objects.

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Take a Ziplock Bag and cut a tiny corner (less than 1/4 inch) off the bottom corner. Roll a soft piece of Playdough into a log shape and place it inside the bag, pushing it toward the cut corner.
  • Place the Paper Plate on the table. Show your child how to hold the top of the bag securely with their helper hand to provide proximal stability.
  • Encourage your child to use their dominant hand to squeeze the Playdough firmly downward, forcing the dough through the tiny hole to create ‘spaghetti noodles’ on the plate. Cheer on their strong effort!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the Ziplock bag and any loose pieces of extruded dough are monitored and not placed in the mouth, as they pose a choking hazard.

“The Claw”

Preparation:

  1. Take an empty cardboard box (with openings that create handles), and insert a gift wrapping paper tube through the openings.
  2. Tape a long piece of yarn to the gift wrapping paper tube.
  3. Draw a Toy Story Alien & cut it out.
  4. Tape the alien to the other end of the yarn.

Play:

Have the child place both hands toward the ends of gift wrapping paper tube (“The Claw”), to reel in the alien.

Instruct the child to use alternating hands, or both hands at the same time.

To add a challenge, have the child use their non-dominant hand, create a longer line of yarn, or add resistance.

To add resistance, draw and cut out an alien on 2 pieces of paper, place beans on one paper, then staple the other paper on top to seal the beans inside.

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.