• Practice putting large and small clothespins to the side of a container or shoe box.
• Use tongs to pick up small objects.
• Push pennies through the slot made on the top of a small film canister.
• Put a slit in the top of a coffee can lid or peanut butter container and have the child push pennies, buttons or poker chips into the slit.
• Remove the coffee lid or peanut butter lid and hold the lid vertically on a surface. Have the child push pennies, buttons or poker chips with one hand through the slit and pull the object out with the opposite hand.
• Push pennies or small objects into balls of play dough or putty and then have the child find the objects.
• Push corn picks (over foam piece) on a paper design or picture.
• Any activities that require a child to use two hands differently: stringing beads, cutting/snipping paper, assemble and un-assemble nuts/bolts, pull stickers off paper backing, and open bottles or containers.
• Dress a piece of cardboard with a shirt with large buttons.
• Make a button board with patches of fabric and various sized buttons.
• Use a dressing book or dressing doll with various activities including zippers, buttons, snaps and belts/fasteners.
These practice are also helping develop their fine motor muscles needed in handwriting and cutting.
