Motor Skills
Motor Skills Sub Categories
How to Help Build Your Toddler’s Muscles For Writing
Did you know that playing with homemade toys can help toddlers build the muscles in their fingers? Here’s how!
- Design a simple puzzle for your toddler by gluing an interesting picture to a cardboard and cutting it into five or six pieces. It’s easy and cost-efficient!
- Engage your toddler in playing with dress-up clothes with buttons and zippers.
- Allow him or her to enjoy tearing those scrap papers of yours. Over an empty basin or box, probably. It will make for easier clean-up!
- Make play dough that your toddler can roll, pound, and squeeze. Here’s how: mix together 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Put food coloring in the water if desired. Add more flour if the dough is sticky. Store in an air-tight plastic bag or container until it is not sticky anymore. Wooden popsicle sticks and cookie cutters may be used instead of real knives that may come out to be unsafe.
- Remember to keep safe all the time! Let an older toddler use safe kitchen tools–a wooden spoon, plastic knives and forks, to use with play dough.
Provide and allow the kids to do simple chores. Toddlers use the muscles in their fingers and hands to do things for themselves.
- Follow a basic schedule and stick to it. Planning your day allows time for your toddler to wash, dress, and feed him- or herself. The child may take longer to put on sneakers than you do, but him saying, “Me do it!” or “Ako na!” are markers of pride.
- Arrange your home in a toddler-friendly manner. A refillable pump soap dispenser is easier for your toddler to use than a bar of soap, and a small plastic cup fits in the toddler’s hand. Keep the child’s toothbrush where he or she can reach it.
- Oftentimes toddlers imitate chores such as sweeping or mopping the floor, mixing up a beverage or simply switching off the electric fan. Allow and not hinder their desire, for as long as it is safe. It will be easy to just say, “You’re too little to do that” or “Marurumihan ka!” But remember that words such as those are discouraging and spirit-dampening. Let them give it a try. Sure, the task will take longer to do but it is confidence-building for him or her.
Toddlers learn most experimentially. They learn about writing by scribbling, watching you write, and seeing words around them.
- Look for inexpensive large pads of paper and large, nontoxic crayons, and washable markers. Save scrap paper and paper bags. Keep a supply of drawing and writing materials where your toddler can reach them.
- Invite your toddler to get some paper and crayons so you can write together. The child will learn about writing by watching you make a list, sign a check, or do a crossword puzzle. The child might even begin to scribble after observing. His or her scribbles are a way of copying what you are writing.
- Point to written words around you and read them out loud to your toddler. “Here comes our bus. It says ‘Baguio‘ on the front. That’s where we’re going.” “The speed limit reads 40 kph. Forty is four-zero.”
Learn more about how to help your preschooler by visiting our website, where you will find more resources about preschool activities and preschool learning.
Author: Jans Mendoza
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger
Related Posts:
Sort those Shapes
Shape sorters are a great way to improve your toddler’s fine motor skills and teach shapes at the same time. But, they can be frustrating for new users. Using the shape sorter together can reduce frustration and provide a nice opportunity to talk about shapes while you spend time with your toddler.
For this activity, have your toddler choose a block to put into the shape sorter. Talk out loud as you search the shape sorter for the right spot.
“This is a green cube. I wonder where the cube goes. Oh! It looks like it might fit here! Let’s try to put the green cube into this hole.”
Let your toddler try, giving them hints along the way. (This will also help them learn the vocabulary to follow directions.)
“Try turning it. You can do it!”
If they start to get frustrated, gently guide their hand. Let them choose the next shape.
Related Posts:
Director of Spray Bottle Technology
Cleaning can be a challenge with toddlers. Turn it into a joint activity by turning your toddler into your official Director of Spray Bottle Technology.
Monitor your toddler very closely with this activity. Make sure that the bottle is always pointed away from their face and at the object they are supposed to be spraying.
Instruct your toddler to spray in batches of 3 and to count as they spray. That way, they practice their counting while keeping the amount of spray at a reasonable level.
To mix things up a bit, try trading places. Sometimes, they get to spray while you wipe. Sometimes, they get to wipe while you spray.
Your toddler can help you by…
- Spraying the glass cleaner while you wipe down the windows
- Spraying the dust polish while you wipe down the furniture
- Spraying air freshener
- Spraying odor eliminator on couch cushions and pillows
Related Posts:
Leaf Rubbings
Leaf rubbings can be a great way to nurture your toddler’s interest in nature while helping them practice their fine motor skills.
What you Need for this Toddler Activity…
* A selection of different leaves
* Typing paper
* Crayons
How you Do It…
- Take a walk with your toddler and help them find interesting leaves.
- Place a leaf face down on a table and cover with a piece of paper.
- Peel the wrapper off of a crayon and rub the side of the crayon over the entire leaf.
- Viola! You have a leaf rubbing!
Taking it Further…
* Place a number of leaves under a single piece of paper and make an instant collage.
* Staple leaf rubbings together to make a book.
Incoming search terms:
Related Posts:
Teach your toddler how to cut a banana
Snack time is a breeze when your toddler has some practice with this useful activity.
What you Need for this Toddler Activity…
* A banana
* A butter knife
* 2 plates
* A tray (Trays are useful for containing activities and helping your toddler stay focused)
How you Do It…
- Don’t peel the banana, but get it started by cutting the top near the stem.
- Place the banana on one of the plates. Then, place both plates and the butter knife on the tray.
- Present the tray to your toddler.
- Help your toddler peel the banana and put the peel pieces on the empty plate.
- Then, help your toddler use the butter knife to slice the banana
Tips…
* As always, use your best judgment with this activity.
