12/19/2025
Here’s a simple activity to prep with big rewards for our tiny hands. We used play dough, a small branch (can also use a pencil) and some pipe cleaners to “grow” our own little tree. But don’t let the simple materials fool you—there is so much hard work happening here:
Bilateral Coordination: Using two hands together to steady the branch while decorating.
Pincer Grasp: Picking up tiny beads to slide onto the pipe cleaner “branches.”
Cognitive Skills: Following specific color patterns for the ornaments, color, and object recognition
Attention: so much focus is needed to manipulate small objects
Sensory Play: Topping it all off with a dusting of “snow”! ❄️
Sometimes the best engagement comes from the simplest tools.
