Dressing Frames: Hooks and Eyes

Materials: The Hook and Eye Frame: 12” x 12” (30 cm x 30 cm); with two flaps of fabric attached to the frame which fasten together with 7-8 hooks and their corresponding eyes.

Purposes:

• Functional Independence

• Visual Motor Coordination

• Fine Motor Control

• Manual Dexterity

Age: 2 ½ - 3 ½ 

Preparation: None

Vocabulary:

• Hook and Eye:  to fasten, to unfasten, hook, and eye

Presentation:

Unfasten

• Invite one child for the lesson on hooks and eyes.

• Show the child the materials, how to pick up and carry the frame, return it to the shelf and allow the child to bring it to a table.

• Sit to the child’s right, orient the frame with the opening flap on the right, and explain what you will do.

• With the right hand, fold over the flap covering the hooks

• Using the index finger of the left-hand push on the loop of the eye.

• Pinch the top hook loop with the right hand and lift to unhook.

• Move down and continue in this way until you get to the bottom.

• Briefly open and close the flaps.

Fasten

• Explain what you will do.

• Start at the top.

• Left index and thumb pinch the top loop of the eye.

• Take the top loop of the hook in the right fingers-lift and push together to fasten.

• Repeat for all in this manner.

• After the last is complete, fold over the flap and smooth.

• Invite the child and encourage repetition.

• Fade and observe.

Points of Interest:

• Holding the loop on the hook with the pincer grip.

• Pushing the two pieces together.

Following Exercises: 

• Encourage the child to practice on their own clothing or help a friend with their hooks and eyes.