Hungry Little Crocodile
Here's What To Do
Show your child the objects you’ve gathered and the empty container. Tell your child that they’ll pretend to be hungry crocodiles and eat all the objects using their fingers.
Show them how to use their index finger and thumb only to pick up the objects, like a little crocodile’s mouth.
Encourage your child to “eat” all the objects and put them in the container. They can make crocodile sounds too!
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.
Engage:
- Move your index finger and thumb to look like a little crocodile’s mouth opening and closing. “Show me your hungry crocodile’s mouth!”
- “Let’s use our crocodile fingers to eat up all these things.” Show your child how to pick an object up using their index finger and thumb 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.
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 pincer grip (index finger and thumb) with small objects.