Christmas Tree Eye-Hand Coordination Activity using Tie Wraps

I started playing around with tie wraps when I found a large container of them anonymously donated and placed on my desk at work. Pushing tie wraps through holes works on many skills.
1) They need to be inserted with the narrow end entering the hole since the fatter end prevents the tie wrap from going all the way through. If that happens simply attach a little duct tape to make one end larger. I love watching children or my clients problem solving.....
2) Attaching the tie wraps works on bilateral hand skills (using hands together) and eye-hand coordination.
3) Position the Christmas tree or any plastic shape higher on the book stand to promote reaching and upright posture. The materials may be attached to a wall or suspended from the ceiling. The client in the video is elderly and, in a wheelchair, so using the book stand was perfect for her.
4) Some children or clients will enjoy making a color pattern or copying a picture of a tree with all of the “lights” in place. Imitating or copying the patterns or pictures works on visual perceptual skills. That is something occupational therapists love to do!
5) Many children or clients will find it easier and just as much fun to remove the tie wraps and place into a container. I attached the red bottle to the top of the book stand. It has a hole in the lid for a straw and is perfect for inserting and storing the tie wraps.
6) This activity is versatile! You can use the same Christmas tree or other shape for lacing or attaching paper fasters. They can also insert the tie wrap through a hole and then tie it in place- as tie wraps are meant to do. Of course, the tie wraps can not be removed after they are connected. They make cute tree ornaments……

The size, color and type of plastic shapes used is limited by your imagination! Try cutting a star, Easter egg, valentine or fish. Integrate beads to the craft. Kitty litter containers are often large and made of a softer type of plastic that is easy to punch. I show the heavy-duty hole puncher I use all the time- in the video.

Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog:
http://www.RecyclingOT.com
http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com
http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com