Toddler Thinks: Fine Motor Skills

All three of these lessons promote the development of fine motor skills.  Although it may seem like it's just play, your child will be exercising their fingers, using strong hand and finger muscle movement, and working on hand-eye coordination.

Toddler Think #1: Pipe Cleaners in a Colander
* In this lesson, all you need is a colander and some pipe cleaners.  Demonstrate how to put a pipe cleaner through one of the holes in the colander.  Then let your child continue the process on their own.  Encourage them to hold the bottom of the pipe cleaner, close to the hole, in order to have better success.  They can do this for a long time!

Toddler Think #2: Cotton Balls in a Water Bottle
* Using an empty water bottle, allow your child to place cotton balls or pom pom balls inside, one at a time.  Let them continue until the bottle is full. Empty the bottle and repeat. (It's a little tricky getting them back out of the bottle :))

Toddler Think #3: Clothespin Pick-Up
* Demonstrate to your child how to hold a clothespin and pinch it to open. Then show them how to pick up a cotton ball with it.  Guide their hands to do this first, then let them try on their own.  This lesson is a little more difficult than the others because figuring out how to use a clothespin is hard for little ones.  Give them time, and eventually they will get the hang of it!

Toddler Thinks!

I want to start doing a special post each week specifically geared to toddlers since my baby girl is in this phase!  Toddler Thinks will include lessons designed for ages 1-3 and will range from motor development activities, music lessons, simple games, and very basic academic lessons.  I'm so excited, so let's get started!

Toddler Think #1: Blocks in the Muffin Tin
* This is a very simple one-to-one correspondence lesson that you can do with your toddler with things around your house.  All you need is a muffin tin and 12 of the same kind of object.  We used large Legos but you can use blocks, puzzle pieces, or anything that will fit into the tin.  Demonstrate to your child by placing one object into each cup. Then let them try.  Help them to understand that only one object goes into each cup and not more.  The younger kiddos will need time to figure this out. :) This is a great activity to do off and on during the week. 

Toddler Think #2: Letter Exploration
* As an introduction to the alphabet, you can let your child explore with letters.  We have some magnetic letters, (you can find these at Walmart, Target, or even the dollar store) and I just set out a cookie sheet for Chandler to place the letters on.  As she was playing, (and putting most of them in her mouth:)) I sang the ABC song multiple times.  The repetition will help your child catch on to the song more quickly.  I also have a poster of the alphabet, and as I sang, I would point to each letter.  Then I helped her find the letters that matched the pictures on the poster.  Just the simple task of exposing your children to letters at an early age will help them learn the names and sounds of letters faster and aide in their pre-reading skills.

Toddler Think #3: Ball Pit Fun
* We created a homemade ball pit for Chandler to have at her birthday party.  This is such a fun area for little ones to play, roll around, and explore.  You can purchase a large set of plastic balls at your local toy store or order them online at an inexpensive price.  We used a cheap, round, blow-up swimming pool, but you can use a large box, playpen, or even a gated area to store the balls.  This is a great space for motor development and independent play.  Have fun!