Open and Close

Open and Close

Opening and closing objects assists children in developing their fine motor skills and coordination of movement. Create your own opening and closing activities from containers and bags found at home. These simple exercises support hand strength, problem-solving, and independence, and are suitable for children from infancy through to preschool. Offering real-world materials in a calm, prepared space allows your child to focus, explore, and repeat with purpose.

To support this learning, see our video demonstration where we model how to introduce open and close activities at home. Using a mat or cloth as a defined workspace, the educator presents a small selection of household containers one at a time. Children are invited to observe, grasp, twist, lift, and slide different mechanisms, following their natural curiosity.

In the video, you’ll notice that the educator uses everyday items like jewellery boxes, gift tins, cosmetic cases, and kitchen Tupperware. Each container is carefully chosen for variety, including snap lids, screw tops, clasps, and flip covers; all offering unique challenges. This type of repetition builds confidence, concentration, and control over movement.

You don’t need special materials to get started. A trip through your kitchen, bathroom, or craft drawers will likely reveal a range of suitable containers. Look for safe and clean items that are small enough for your child to manipulate but sturdy enough to hold their interest.

It’s also helpful to consider your child’s developmental stage when selecting materials. Infants may begin by simply exploring how a container feels in their hands, while older toddlers will start to focus on the function and mechanics of opening and closing it. Observing your child during this process can give you insight into their problem-solving strategies and emerging preferences.

Home Lesson One

1. Locate three containers from around your home and place them in a basket
2. Demonstrate how to open and close one container
3. Invite your child to continue the activity

This activity supports independence and fine motor control. Use simple language such as “open” and “close” to label the movements.

Home Lesson Two

1. Extend on this activity by adding additional containers with different open and close latches
2. Increase the number of containers as your child’s interest and ability grow

Encouraging your child to explore new types of containers adds variety and introduces problem-solving as they experiment with different closures.

Home Lesson Three

1. For a further extension include bags with different open and close mechanisms such as zippers, magnetic clasps, Velcro, and buckles

These additions help develop strength and dexterity in the fingers while introducing new sensory experiences.

You can also introduce sorting tasks into the activity by inviting your child to categorise containers by type, size, or colour. This adds a simple cognitive challenge that builds early classification skills.