SparKits
Fine Motor Pumpkin
Let's Begin
Gather Materials
Pumpkin or gourd
Golf tees or push pins
Rubber mallet or hammer
Rubber bands of various sizes
Step 1
Start by choosing a pumpkin or gourd to use for the activity.
Next, have your child point to where they would like to have you put the golf tees or push pins. Then use the mallet or hammer to drive the tees or pins into the gourd, leaving enough of the top sticking up to wrap the rubber bands around.
Step 3
Finally, you and your child can use different rubber bands to wrap around two or more tees or pins at a time.
CDC Milestones
Curious about your child’s development? All children develop at their own pace, but the Center for Disease Control’s developmental milestones can be a helpful guideline. Here are a few examples:
1-year-old
- Shows fear in some situations
- Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
- Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named
18-months-old
- Explores alone but with parent close by
- Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures
- Drinks from a cup
2-years-old
- Shows more and more independence
- Knows names of familiar people and body parts
- Might use one hand more than the other
Additional family resources
Early Learning with ECA
Learning begins at birth. ECA provides foundations for learning, starting with age-appropriate experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool. ECA also offers a range of family support programs that encourage family involvement with children’s learning.
Free tips and learning games
This free texting service provides quality, developmental information for parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight right to your phone. Messages include research-based, age-appropriate content from national experts, along with local updates of events and resources.
Free resources at your library
Your local library has many resources for you as a parent as well as for your child. We encourage you to take advantage of all they have to offer. For an online list of libraries by city, go to publiclibraries.com/state
Find help in your community
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-502-0700 for free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral assistance. Trained 2-1-1 Specialists can connect you to local organizations that can assist you with food, housing, health care, transportation, education and more.
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Use of the materials described above are done so at your own risk and any children interacting with these materials should do so only under close adult supervision.
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