By 17-18 months of age, infants begin to use one hand as a stabilizer while the other hand manipulates an object (such as a toy). By 2-3 years old, the toddler is able to participate in bilateral activities which demand more differentiation between the hands, such as beginning to snip paper (holding paper with one hand while opening/closing scissors with other). In time, the child refines bilateral coordination and shows more precision with differentiated motions in each hand.
- 2 years: snips with scissors
- 2.5 years: cut across 6 inch paper
- 3.5 years: cut along a 6 inch line
- 4 years: cut a circle
- 5 years: cut a square
- 6-7 years: cut complex shapes
- Eating/Feeding: Opening/closing jars and/or packages; stabilizing a plate/bowl while spoon feeding
- Dressing: Holding one side of jacket while engaging a zipper, then zipping it up
- Grooming/Hygiene: Removing lid of toothpaste then squeezing toothpaste onto toothbrush while stabilizing toothbrush; washing own hair in the shower/bath
- Play: Putting Legos or connectable cubes together and taking apart; engaging with wind-up toys
- Tear paper strips to create artwork
- Use scissors to cut simple/complex shapes
- Make necklaces or bracelets using beads or pasta on a piece of yarn/string/floss
- Use both hands to type out your name (free typing websites: Typing.com, turtlediary.com)
- Painting while holding paper still or on a vertical surface (i.e the wall) requires student to engage with both hands
- Invite your child to cook with you (kneading dough, opening containers, holding bowl with non-dominant hand while stirring/mixing salads/mixes, etc.)
- Board games and/or card games
- Coloring requires stabilization of paper with one hand while coloring with other
- Use “junk mail” to crumple paper balls and shoot into trash can
- Make your own play-dough, ask your child to knead it with you
- Gross motor tasks including: animal walks, yoga (see “Gross Motor” page)