Incorporate these 10 play ideas in your everyday life to help your little one hone his hand-eye coordination, DR RICHARD C. WOOLFSON suggests.
At this stage, your toddler’s fine motor skills – or hand-eye coordination – are developed enough to let him pick up small toys, carry objects, and even try to hold the spoon as you feed him.
These abilities are an important part of your toddler’s development. Not only do they allow him greater independence, but they also lay the foundation for drawing and writing in later years. Give him many opportunities to further improve on his fine motor skills. Here are 10 ways:
Undressing and dressing
Encourage him to get involved when you’re changing him. For example, suggest that he puts his arms up in anticipation of wearing his top. One day, you’ll discover that he has managed to pull his socks off and thrown them away.
Paper and crayons
Provide him with chunky crayons designed for small hands and lots of blank paper. At this age, he struggles at first to even draw a squiggle, but he’ll get there eventually. Display his works of art to encourage him.
Inset boards
He enjoys playing with small wooden puzzles that have different shapes cut-outs, which he then has to fit back into the correct empty spaces on the board. Pick inset boards that have brightly coloured shapes, such as circles, triangles and squares.
Plastic crockery
When your little one is settled on the floor, give him a plastic cup, a saucer and a spoon. He’ll love playing with these items – perhaps putting the cup on top of the saucer or putting the spoon into the cup, or just banging them together.
Both hands at once
Place him in a comfortable seating position, then take two small toys and put them in his left hand. Immediately put another two in his right hand – he’ll eventually be able to hold all four in his hands for a few seconds before letting go.
Shape sorter
This classic toy requires him to match the shape to the correct hole before he can fit it through. This can frustrate him, so be there to guide him along.
Pulling challenge
Spread a towel flat on the floor so that one corner is near his hand. Put a small toy on the other corner of the towel and ask him to get it – teach him to pull the corner of the towel nearest to his hand in order to bring the toy towards him.
Ball play
He thoroughly enjoys playing with balls – large and small – and attempts to roll them, throw them and even to catch them. Put a medium-sized, light plastic ball between his hands – he should hold it firmly in front of him – and ask him to throw it to you.
Building blocks
Place some small wooden blocks beside him and ask him to build a tower with them. Demonstrate this, so he knows what you mean. By the end of his second year, he’ll probably be able to build a tower with up to five bricks or more before it topples over.
Fine motor skills will allow him greater independence, as well as lay the foundation for drawing and writing in later years.
Sand tray
Set one up at the right height for him to reach, and mix the sand with just enough water to create a firm texture – if you make it too runny, there’s not much he can do with it. He can squash the thick muddy mixture or make different shapes with it.
