Brain Balance & Coordination Finger Game for Kids (Ages 6-7)

What You'll Need

• 2 black gloves (one for each hand)

• 10 small colorful pom-poms (e.g., 2 light blue, 2 red, 2 green, 2 purple, 2 yellow)

• Glue or double-sided tape (to attach pom-poms)

• 2 small craft sticks or dowels (e.g., one red, one purple)

Getting Started

1. Attach one pom-pom to the tip of each finger of both gloves using glue or tape. For consistency, you can match the colors shown in the image: Left hand (thumb to pinky) - light blue, red, green, purple, yellow; Right hand (thumb to pinky) - purple, red, light blue, green, yellow.

2. Have your child put on the gloves.

3. Place the red stick on the left side of the playing area and the purple stick on the right side, or use them as visual cues in the center.

How to Do This Activity

• Finger Identification: Start by asking your child to identify and move specific fingers based on color. For example, "Wiggle your red finger!" or "Touch your green and yellow fingers together."

• Single Hand Patterns: Demonstrate simple finger patterns or movements with one of your gloved hands (if you have a spare set, or use your bare hand as a model). Ask your child to mimic the pattern with their corresponding gloved hand. Start with slow, distinct movements.

• Bilateral Mirroring: Once comfortable with single-hand movements, demonstrate a pattern with one hand and ask your child to mirror it with their opposite hand. For instance, if you move your left index finger, they move their right index finger.

• Sequential Patterns: Introduce sequences. For example, "Touch your thumb, then your index finger, then your middle finger." Gradually increase the length and complexity of the sequence.

• Stick Cues: Use the sticks as visual cues. You could point to the red stick and ask them to perform a movement with their left hand, then point to the purple stick for their right hand. Or, have them tap a specific colored pom-pom on one of the sticks.

• Rhythmic Movements: Incorporate rhythm by doing the movements to a slow count or simple music.

Tips for Parents

• Start with very simple movements and gradually increase complexity to avoid frustration.

• Encourage your child and celebrate their efforts, focusing on participation rather than perfection.

• Make it a playful activity. You can invent silly names for the finger movements or pretend the pom-poms are characters.

• Observe which hand or fingers your child finds more challenging and offer extra practice with those.

Ways to Extend

• Add Music: Perform the finger movements to the beat of different types of music.

• Storytelling: Create a story where each colored pom-pom is a character, and their movements tell part of the tale.

• Memory Challenge: Demonstrate a longer sequence of finger movements and have your child try to recall and replicate it from memory.

• Eyes Closed: Once proficient, have your child try some simple movements with their eyes closed to enhance proprioception and body awareness.

• Advanced Patterns: Introduce more complex patterns, crossing fingers, or rapid alternating movements between hands.