Sticky Tape Line

What you need

• sticky tape
• a few chunky toys

How to do it

1. Stick a short line of tape strips onto a table or floor, sticky side up.
2. Show your toddler how to press a chunky toy onto the sticky line. Anything that fits through a toilet roll tube is too small.
3. Let them peel the toy off and stick it down again.
4. Add more strips if they want to keep going.

Why it matters

Peeling and pressing works the pincer grip that toddlers rely on for buttons, zips and picking up small food.

What they're learning

pincer grip

Peeling tape with finger and thumb strengthens the same grip used later for turning book pages and holding crayons.

focus

Lining up chunky toys on the tape builds the concentration span needed for tabletop tasks at nursery.

cause and effect

Feeling the toy stick and unstick teaches them how their actions make things happen.

What to look for

Watch for them pinching the tape edge between finger and thumb rather than swiping with a flat hand.

A tip

Use tape that peels off cleanly so the table isn't left sticky afterwards.

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