Bird Beak Pick Up
Here's What To Do
Tell your child that they’ll squeeze the clothespin and pretend it’s a bird beak. Then, they’ll pick up the objects with their bird beak and put it in the nest (container) to feed their baby birds.
Show them how to use their index finger, middle finger and thumb only to squeeze the clothespin.
If they’d like, your child can make bird sounds as they use the clothespin to feed their baby birds.
Once they’re comfortable, your child can try to do it even faster. You can also race each other as you pick up the objects!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Open and close your hands, and wiggle and move your fingers to warm up. Use your thumb, middle finger and index finger to look like a bird’s beak opening and closing.
Engage:
- Use your index finger, middle finger and thumb to squeeze the clothespin open and closed.
- “Let’s squeeze this clothespin and pretend it’s a bird beak. We’ll use our bird beaks to feed our baby birds in this nest!”
- Show your child how to pick an object up using the clothespin and put it in the container.
Encourage:
- Encourage your child to keep trying. “Trying something new can feel hard, but it will feel easier as we practice.”
- “Watch my fingers again and keep trying. I know you can do it.”
Reflect:
- “Was it easy or hard to pick up things with just those fingers?”
Not quite ready?
Use larger objects that are easier to grip. Practice with the fingers alone instead of using the clothespin.
Ready for more?
Your child can use their index finger, middle finger and thumb to pick up small objects.
As your child masters this skill...
They will demonstrate the use of their three-point finger grip (index finger, middle finger and thumb) to hold and pick up objects.