​​​​​​​​​Materials: Cereal. Optional: glue, paper, tweezers.

STEP 1

Spread out cereal on a table and make a picture with it!

STEP 2

Model for your child how to use a pincer grasp (first finger and thumb) to pick up cereal pieces and place them where you want them for your picture.

STEP 3

Try making a circle, a smiley face, or even a tower. Encourage your child to keep using a pincer grasp to pick up the cereal pieces.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Practice using a pincer grasp to eat cereal or other finger foods at mealtime.

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

For older children, try using tweezers to pick up cereal pieces. They can use glue to make cereal art on paper, too!


WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Your child is learning to use the small muscles in their hand during this activity. They are also learning how to be creative and problem solve.

WHY?

Play that uses your child’s small muscles (in their hands and fingers) strengthens the muscles they will need to use a fork, pencil, scissors, and more.

child eating cereal with hands