During the month of May, the children in Toddler 2 engaged in numerous experiences that helped to strengthen their fine-motor abilities.
Fine-motor skills are crucial for a child's development, enabling them to perform everyday tasks, build independence, and prepare for future learning. They are the small, precise movements of the hands and fingers that allow children to grasp, manipulate objects, and perform tasks like writing, eating, and dressing. Developing these skills has a significant impact on a child's overall development, affecting their ability to engage in various activities and tasks.
One of the experiences that the children engaged in was experimenting with two sizes of elastics along with a popsicle stick and a paper towel roll. The children were encouraged to place the elastics around either the popsicle stick or the paper towel roll. After a little demonstration, the toddlers then began to use their pincer grasp to pinch and stretch the elastics around either material.
Some children got creative and tried to put the elastics around their fingers or wrists!
By using rubber bands in various ways, children can develop their fine-motor skills, hand movements, and hand-eye coordination, which are essential for their overall development. This type of activity also strengthens hand muscles and provides opportunity for problem solving and experimentation.
Another experience that took place was a moon dough sensory activity! The toddlers were provided with various bowls, cups, trays, and spoons as they practiced their utensil use in our large tuff tray. This was a great opportunity for the toddlers to practice their tool use as they held and grasped the cutlery. Using supportive children's cutlery is amazing fine-motor practice. The children utilized both their pincer and palmar grasp while manipulating, pinching and picking up handfuls of the moon dough. The toddlers also enjoyed scooping and stirring the dough as they dumped and poured it into the bowls.
Sensory exploration provides children the opportunity to enhance their fine-motor abilities as well as their hand-eye coordination. This was a great way for the toddlers to engage in tactile play as they utilized their sense of touch to feel new textures. There are so many ways to enhance our physical development as we engage in different types of play!
Be sure to check out our daily stories and stay tuned for what skills we focus on next!
