The teachers of a class of three-year-olds want to promote the children's development of greater hand strength. Which of the following fine-motor activities would likely be most effective for this purpose?

1. Brush-painting at an easel or chalkboard
2. Stacking large cardboard blocks to make towers in the block area
3. Playing with lacing beads and lacing cards
4. Working with clay and other modeling materials

Manipulating clay and modeling materials is the most effective activity among the options for promoting hand strength in three-year-old children due to the diverse hand movements involved, which strengthen the small muscles in the hands and develop fine motor skills.

Explanation:

Among the fine-motor activities listed to promote hand strength development in three-year-old children, working with clay and other modeling materials is likely the most effective. This task involves a range of hand movements, including squeezing, rolling, pinching, and pulling, which are all beneficial for strengthening the small muscles in the hands. These actions correlate directly with the development of fine motor skills, which are critical at this preschool age.

Other activities such as brush-painting at an easel or chalkboard, stacking large cardboard blocks, and playing with lacing beads and lacing cards also contribute to the development of fine motor skills. However, these activities might not engage the hand muscles as extensively as manipulating clay does. Clay modeling demands consistent hand pressure and manipulation, which contributes to building greater hand strength over time.