Written by Naz Haider | Published : November 29, 2015 8:42 AM IST
Before toddlers learn fine motor skills (think picking fine things like rice), they need to work on their gross motor skills (hand-eye coordination, holding things with their fingers and palm). Here are some tips to help them work on these skills.
Stacking rings, cups or building blocks -- every baby has to have one or all of these. Stacking is an excellent activity that boosts hand-eye co-ordination. Show her once and let her do it on her own. Cheer her as she flexes and uses her chubby fingers trying to put the rings around the pole. This activity is appropriate for toddlers between 11-13 months of age.
Which child does not like pulling wagons and cars? Any toy that goes 'zoom' is a hit with toddlers. And it is such an amazing way to boost their motor skills and hand dexterity. Let your child either use a pull toy or push a car to make it go. Let him wrap his fingers around the toy or push buttons if there are any. Let him connect the dots to understand how he should operate the car/ toy. This activity is appropriate for toddlers between 12-14 months.
Any activity that involves water and splashing will hold your toddler's attention the longest. There's so much you can do! Give her a sprinkler and let her water plants, or let her transfer water from one tub to another using a mug. Anything that makes your toddler hold, lift and move things is beneficial in enhancing their gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Toddlers between 12-14 months can do this activity.
What better way than getting your child to use his fingers and his brain to work than letting him paint? Start with finger paints when your baby is about 8 months, progressing to non-toxic crayons and colour pencils. This will lay the foundation for them to enhance their fine motor skills. Let your child use vegetables like onions and okra instead of pencils. Start this activity with toddlers aged 11-13 months.
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