Mac and Shake

Purpose

This activity strengthens the finger muscles and helps in developing tripod grasp.

Materials

Skills

Bilateral Hand Use, Finger Translation, Hand Arches/Separation, Intrinsic Muscle Development, Pincer Control, Tripod Grasp

Description

Poke a hole in the container's lid. The hole should provide enough resistance to make it challenging for the child to insert the macaroni inside. Have the child insert large macaroni one at a time through the hole in lid into the container. To work on finger translation, ask the child to collect two macaroni pieces at a time and store one in his/her palm while inserting the other into the container. The child should use one hand to hold the container and the other one to insert the items.

Children enjoy listening to the sound the container makes when they shake it. This activity can be done using other items such as coins, beans, or smaller macaroni.

Children enjoy listening to the sound the container makes when they shake it. This activity can be done using other items such as coins, beans, or small macaroni.

Images (click to enlarge)

Comments

One can also have child hold item in palm with "stop" fingers while manipulating large noodle to promote motoric separation of hand and isolation of "go" fingers.

Kristen on Wednesday, September 02, 2009

I think different sizes are great, this large size actually helps with radial excursion since the child has to continue to push the large noodle through the hole versus one small push for a small noodle.

Kristen on Wednesday, September 02, 2009

This is a great site! In regards to the Mac and Shake the large sized macaroni used in the picture allows the child to use a fisted grasp to hold it. Using smaller sized pasta may be benifical in promoting the development of a tripod grasp.

Amy Mayall on Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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