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.

Resistance Trace Bag

Resistance Trace Bag

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Fill a gallon-sized Ziplock Bag halfway with corn kernels. Add a small amount of water to create a thick, dense texture that is resistant to movement.
  • Seal the bag tightly, ensuring all excess air is removed. Place the sealed bag flat inside a shallow plastic container to stabilize it on the table.
  • Use a marker to draw simple lines, letters, or shapes (like a circle or a cross) directly onto the outside of the bag.
  • Challenge your child to use only their pointer finger (finger isolation) to press hard into the bag, tracing the marker lines.
  • They must use sustained pressure to push the kernels aside, leaving a visible path in the resistant medium. This requires great effort!
  • When finished, gently shake the bag to reset the kernels. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the marker lines off the bag and start with a new shape.

Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Ensure the Ziplock Bag is sealed completely before use, as corn kernels pose a choking hazard if ingested.

Ribbon Resistance Unwind

Ribbon Resistance Unwind

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut several strips of ribbon (about 12 inches long). Secure one end of a ribbon strip firmly onto a craft stick using a small piece of masking tape.
  • Adult Prep: Tightly wrap the ribbon all the way down the stick until it is completely covered. Secure the loose end of the ribbon/stick assembly firmly inside the plastic container with more masking tape (this anchors the stick).
  • Have your child sit at a table and hold the plastic container steady with their helper hand to prevent it from sliding. This requires proximal stability.
  • Challenge the child to use their working hand to pinch the exposed end of the ribbon. Encourage them to use a strong, controlled pull and unwind motion to free the ribbon from the stick.
  • Once the ribbon is completely unwound, gently peel the starting tape off the stick and wrap a new ribbon tightly around the stick to play again.

Safety Tip:
Ribbon and small pieces of masking tape are small objects. Constant adult supervision is required to prevent choking hazards for children in this age group.

Ripped Line Art

Ripped Line Art

Steps:

  • Secure the cardboard vertically to a wall or door at your child’s chest height.
  • Use a marker to draw several long, curvy, or zigzag lines onto the cardboard surface.
  • Give your child a piece of construction paper. Encourage them to use both hands to tear the paper into small, jagged pieces. This takes strong finger effort!
  • Drop the torn pieces into the plastic container nearby.
  • Now, use the glue bottle to draw a thick, wavy line of glue directly next to one of the marker lines.
  • Challenge your child to pick up the torn paper pieces using a neat pincer grasp. Press each piece firmly onto the wet glue line, filling the entire path.
  • Repeat this process, covering all the drawn lines with colorful ripped paper pieces.

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure that small pieces of torn paper are not put into the mouth, nose, or ears, as they pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the vertical board is stable and secured well.

Tight Coil Stick Art

Tight Coil Stick Art

Steps:

  • Place one Craft Stick flat on the table. Use your helper hand to hold it steady and still.
  • Take a Pipe Cleaner. Use your dominant hand to twist it tightly around the stick. Coil the pipe cleaner snugly from end to end.
  • Continue wrapping new pipe cleaners until the entire Craft Stick is covered in a dense, fuzzy layer. Press the coils close together.
  • Choose one small sticker from the Plastic Container. Peel the sticker using only your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
  • Carefully press the sticker firmly onto the fuzzy, coiled surface of the stick. This requires precise aim and controlled force.
  • Cover the coiled stick with colorful stickers until you complete your masterpiece. Count how many stickers you placed.

Safety Tip:
Pipe cleaners and small stickers pose a choking hazard. Constant, direct adult supervision is required for children under 5 throughout this activity.

Vertical Bead Run

Vertical Bead Run

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Cut the paper rolls (toilet paper or paper towel rolls) into short, 1-inch segments.
  • Glue the paper roll segments onto the large cardboard piece. Arrange them in a zigzag or winding track from top to bottom.
  • Secure the cardboard track vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s chest height. Place the plastic container directly beneath the exit point of the track.
  • Encourage your child to stand tall and use their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to pick up a bead.
  • Challenge them to aim and carefully drop the bead into the top opening of the track.
  • Visually track the bead as it rolls down the track. Repeat until all beads are successfully collected in the container.

Safety Tip:
Beads are very small and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place objects in their mouths. Maintain constant adult supervision throughout the activity. Ensure the cardboard track is securely fastened to the wall to prevent movement during play.