This activity has been revised and was originally created by Kathy Heydt and Monica Allon and published in the Perkins Activity and Resource Guide (1st edition, 1992). The second edition is available for purchase.
This activity helps students practice using two hands separately: one hand holds or stabilizes an object while the other hand manipulates. Some examples of this include sanding wood or using a tape dispenser. This gives the students an opportunity to improve their pincer grip, practice crossing the midline of their body and strengthen their arms and hands. Lessons include Orientation and Mobility.
Materials
- Wooden board, approximately 12 by 12 inches and 2 inches thick, with nails hammered into the board at random spots. Leave nail heads about 1 inch above the surface of the board.
- Rubber bands of various colors and thickness.
- Nonslip surface
Procedure
- Have the student sit comfortably at a table.
- Place a wooden board with nails hammered into it in front of the student.
- The board should be placed on a non-slip surface.
- Have the student stretch rubber bands, one at a time, between two nail heads.
- Instruct the student where to place the rubber bands (e.g. upper left-hand corner down to lower right-hand corner).
- Provide paper and crayons, paint with brushes, or finger paints for dot-to-dot coloring. For students with no vision, glue dots of cardboard onto the piece of paper.
- Have the student connect the dots randomly or instruct the student to connect the dots by number.
- For added texture, place sandpaper under the paper with the dots.
Hints: Make sure the board is smooth on the edges and the nails are hammered securely into the wooden board without coming through the other side. The rubber bands should not be old, for they may snap.
