Wrist Extension - Page 6 of 8

Vertical Garden Push

Steps:

Set up the ‘garden’ by turning the bucket upside down on the floor or table. Take a large handful of Theraputty (or stiff playdough) and press it firmly onto the side of the bucket, making a thick, stable ‘garden bed.’
Show your child how to hold the craft stick using a three-finger grasp (or whatever grip is most comfortable). Explain that they need to ‘plant’ the sticks so they stand up tall.
Encourage your child to press the craft stick deeply into the putty with enough force to make it stick. Remind them to keep their elbow close to their side and push from the shoulder, keeping the wrist stable and slightly extended (bent backward) as they press.
Challenge them to fill the entire putty patch with as many colorful craft sticks as they can ‘plant’! To increase the challenge, use a smaller patch of putty to encourage more precision.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children closely during fine motor activities. Ensure the bucket is stable and will not slide or tip over when the child applies pushing force. Encourage standing or kneeling rather than reaching across the body to promote better posture.

Sensory Squeeze Lines

Steps:

Mix Tempera Paint and a tablespoon of dry Rice in a bowl. Use a Spoon to stir until it is a thick, chunky paste that offers some resistance.
Scoop the paint mixture into the bottom corner of a Ziplock Bag. Squeeze all the excess air out and seal the top of the bag tightly.
Place the Construction Paper onto the Cardboard for a firm surface. Use scissors to snip a tiny corner off the Ziplock Bag (this creates the nozzle).
Have your child use their non-dominant hand to hold the top of the bag steady. This provides proximal stability for the working hand.
Encourage them to use their dominant hand to squeeze the bag firmly, pushing the paint out. Challenge them to control the squeeze to make textured lines and shapes.

Safety Tip:
Use non-toxic tempera paint and supervise closely. Due to the small size of the rice grains and the snipped Ziplock bag pieces, constant adult supervision is necessary to prevent choking or ingestion.

Sticky Shape Press

Steps:

Use a marker to draw a large, simple shape (like a heart or square) onto the construction paper.
Tear a long strip of masking tape. Encourage your child to tear the tape into many small, postage stamp-sized pieces.
Challenge the child to use a precise pincer grasp to fill the drawn shape completely with the small tape pieces.
Pick up the craft stick. Show the child how to hold it like a pencil, keeping the wrist slightly bent backward (extended).
Use the craft stick to rub and press down firmly over every piece of tape. Applying strong pressure provides excellent heavy work for their hands.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the child understands the materials are only for crafting and not for placing in the mouth.

Foil Drip Maze

Steps:

Prepare the maze surface: Cover a flat piece of cardboard entirely with aluminum foil, crimping the edges up slightly to create a sturdy, shallow tray (this is your waterproof maze board).
Use markers to draw a simple maze or a winding path on the foil surface. Draw a start circle and a finish circle for the water drop to travel between.
Mix a small amount of water with food coloring in a container. Demonstrate how to load the eyedropper by squeezing the bulb using a neat pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) and drawing up the colored water.
Challenge your child to hold the eyedropper over the start circle and release a single drop. Then, they must carefully angle the tray (bilateral hands) and/or use the eyedropper to push the drop along the marker-drawn path to the finish line, practicing fine control and precision.

Safety Tip:
Ensure close supervision as small objects (like eyedropper parts) and colored water are used. Always supervise to prevent ingestion of materials.

Clip Straightener Stack

Steps:

Secure the paper plate on the table. Use your child’s helper hand to stabilize it. Roll the playdough into a long log shape and press it firmly onto the plate to create a resistant base.
Pick up one paper clip. Encourage your child to use both hands together to pull and bend the paper clip until it is completely straight. This requires concentration and effort.
Using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger), push the sharp end of the straightened wire deep into the resistant playdough roll. Continue this process until the plate is full of straight wire posts.

Safety Tip:
Paper clips can become sharp once straightened. Adults must supervise closely to ensure the wires are only used in the playdough and not near the face. Monitor for choking if the child mouths small pieces of playdough.