Using a Clothes Pin

Opening clothes pins against spring resistance builds the thumb muscles essential for proper pencil grip.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Preliminary Exercises
• Level: Ages 3-4

Objectives

• Strengthen pincer muscles
• Practice spring resistance
• Develop hand control

Materials

• Wooden clothes pins
• Container edge or string
• Small cloths or socks

Instructions

1. Pick up clothes pin with dominant hand. 2. Squeeze to open pin. 3. Position over cloth edge. 4. Release to clip cloth. 5. Repeat with more clothes pins. 6. Remove by squeezing and lifting off.

Educator tip

Use spring-type pins of varying strengths. Progress from clipping to a basket edge to a string line.

Assessment

Child clips and removes pins with controlled movements.

More from Practical Life

• Pushing in Chairs
• Sharpening a Pencil
• Cracking Eggs
• Wringing a Sponge
• Stapling Papers
• Putting on a Jacket
• Zipping a Jacket
• Buttoning a Shirt