What to do with preschooler with one usable arm

[Wirdle]

DD, just 4, will be having a big surgery soon. We'll be in hospital about a week and then she'll have her dominant arm strapped up for a month.

I've tried to add a photo of the sort of dressing as it will have no movement, no hand access so will really limit her.

Starting to worry about entertaining her afterwards. Normally she's very physical and active and loves role play and helping us.

We have a yoto and she loves books, don't own a tablet - I'd be semi open to it in this circumstance but I don't think she'd be able to hold it and play a game for example.

Assume crafts etc will be a none starter with only 1 left arm.

Would be greatful for any suggestions. Previous surgeries were as a baby and cuddles were all that were needed!

Poor love. Local walks may help her to burn off energy a bit. Also I would encourage her to use the other hand. She will actually learn how to use the less dominate hand quite quickly, so should be able to do colouring etc.

That's hopeful thank you, was just picturing her getting frustrated but hopefully it'll strengthen that side

Go back to basic mark making with the non dominant hand to begin with, like when they learn to hold a pen etc to begin with.

Use a sand tray to draw in, large easy to hold crayons, chalks on the pavement, squishing Play-Doh between her fingers etc she will soon be able to do some finer things like colouring in.

If she is the type to get upset about losing the use of the other arm make it into a game. So for example do some baking but you can both only use one arm so you have to work together.

Slime
paint the garden fence with paint and water
paddling pool (if getting it wet is ok)
imaginative games - teddy tea party, dolly hospital etc
make a den under the dining table
play doh
hop scotch
push her dolly pram round the village
make biscuits - she can stir and use a biscuit cutter
decorate biscuits - she can spoon on water biscuits and stick on smarties etc
play dates! Kids will find endless ways to entertain each other

I meant to say paint the fence with paintBRUSH and water - not paint!

If she is the type to get upset about losing the use of the other arm make it into a game. So for example do some baking but you can both only use one arm so you have to work together.

Oh I love this idea

Do you need to be very careful about knocks etc? Other than protecting it, honestly I think you could do most things. If she had been born with one hand I am absolutely sure you and she would have found a way to do absolutely everything she normally does now.

My kids have Amazon tablets, they could do all of their games with one hand - the stuff aimed at young kids is very simple.

Colouring, crafts etc, totally doable, just need to take a step or two back - so maybe get something like crayon rocks that are more easily used with a palmer grasp. Buy scissors to suit her left hand, they make a big difference. Playdoh is very good for strengthening her hand.

Roleplay, should all be doable?

How about performing - mini karaoke set? You may regret this! But it’s active without being too physical if that’s a worry.

The weather is hopefully good, so you can get out lots. Mine loved scavenger hunts at that age - a clipboard with pictures of stuff to find, an egg box with each section coloured and they had to find something of each colour.

If she gets frustrated, how about strapping your own arm down to experience it together? A friend did this to encourage her daughter to wear her eye patch and it really helped!

Lots of children manage well with the use of one arm but it will be very different if she isn’t used to it. Great that you are getting prepared.

You could get a non slip mat to put toys on so that they don’t move around. A tablet could be held like this. You can get tough covers for children in case she drops it.
A megasketcher type toy can be used with one hand using the stampers and attached stylus. You could buy stencils to aid drawing.
You can attach sticky Velcro to wooden building blocks to support building with one hand.
Bingo pens in various colours are easy to use to make dotty patterns and pictures. You can download or make basic pictures with dotted outlines so she can make the picture.
A large peg board and pegs can be used one handed.

https://www.abilitysuperstore.com/products/non-slip-mat

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1587552140/dotty-wonders-dot-marker-set-for-kids-do

Not an idea for everyday but for those days she needs a laugh and a pick me up - perhaps you could make a sling for your own arm from a scarf or something similar and she could give you challenges to do using only one arm? Or you could work together as a team each with one arm only to accomplish a fun goal like planting seeds outside or making a simple pudding.

I have a DC with a disability on one side but no major changes in early years so can use as normal for them.
They are fairly ambidextrous but I suspect they’ve developed naturally as the disability is is on the do isn’t side.

Do you have a junior park run near you? That’s one of our best energy burners and you get credits for volunteering.
I guess our situation is different as we’ve never needed to rest a limb. There are great resources for exercise with limb difference around though.

it must feel like forever right now but if it’s months it will pass. Dancing is always our go to let it out as a family. Kendall’s picnics. Sensory play.

Walks in the forest? Petting zoo?

Honestly I would buy a tablet nothing too expensive just one that you can download simple games on that don't require much in the way of finger skills you can even do online colouring which might be less frustrating

@Wirdle I sincerely hope your daughter makes a speedy recovery. And she will still need cuddles ☺️

Oh these are all amazing ideas thank you so much. Definitely helping me think about things we have that should be usable, magnatiles instead of blocks etc. And we have some dot markers somewhere, can see how that will be lots easier than drawing normally.

Her condition is linked to limb differences although this doesn't affect her I have seen the amazing things those children can do, just think temporarily it'll be a bit of a shock for her.

Hoping the play room in hospital will be accessible, when we were in before they were all shut for covid. Nothing better than other people's toys!