Finger Gym Activities - Part 3

Squeezing Activities

These fun activities are another source for strengthening your child’s fine motor muscles.  This  strengthening will in turn better prepare them for self help activities such as dressing as well as holding a pencil or a pair of scissors. 

Suggested Materials:

  • Hole punch and scraps of paper

  • Garlic press, small bits of sponge , a tray and 2 small bowls

  • Clothes pins , string , socks , small basket

  • Water dropper and or a clean turkey baster

  • Food colouring, duplo blocks , small bowls

As with previous finger gym activities only offer one tray at a time.  Your child’s interest level will let you know when they are ready for a new set of materials. (It could be in a few days or it could be after a week.)

Remember to let them explore freely as it is a process.  They may use the items one way at first and then differently a few days later after they figure out the cause and effect.

Encourage your child to help with set up and tidying as this encourages independence and self help skills.

Directions:

Hole Punch Activity - Put out colourful scraps of paper and a hole puncher on a tray.  Let your child punch as many holes as they like.  Even if they can’t master using the paper hole punch, the simple practice of squeezing the puncher is great exercise.

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Garlic Press Activity:

  • Place 2 small bowls on a tray one with water and one without.

  • Put small pieces of cut up  sponge into the bowl with water.

  • The child places the wet sponge into the press and squeezes the water out into the empty bowl (this is really enjoyed by kindergarten age children).

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Clothes Pin Activity:

  • Place some clothes pins in a small bowl or basket.

  • Place socks or mittens in another bowl.

  • Tie a string between chair legs or on knobs of a dresser.

  • Allow child to hang the clothes up on the string.

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Water Dropper or Baster Activity:

For older children,

  • Place some small bowls or cups with coloured water on a tray.

  • Put duplo blocks on tray as well.

  • Use small water dropper to place droplets of water on top of blocks.

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For younger children,

  • Put two medium sized bowls on a tray or in a shallow bin.

  • Put coloured water in one bowl.

  • Allow them to use a turkey baster to sqeeze and transfer water to empty bowl.

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Written by Debra Howard, Community Connector & Parent Support Coach

Childreach