As children play with magnets they are engaging in active, hands-on learning. Recently the children in Toddler 2 explored play with magnets through a fishing game. Each child was given a wooden dowel that had a long string, and a magnet attached to the end of the string. The children then used their fine motor skills to try to attach the fishing pole magnet to a fish magnet that was laid out in our large black sensory bin.
During play the children were able to identify the different colours of fish they saw. Colours such as, “blue, and purple”.
Some children noticed that the magnet on the end of the fishing pole could attach to our storage room door. Apparently, we have a magnetic door in our room, what a great discovery!
Children also used the fishing pole in a different way; one child used it to try to curl their hair.
There are so many benefits to play with magnets as children build on their language development through identifying colours, and shapes. Children develop their coordination skills as they manipulate the magnet by sticking it on and off and this builds the muscles in their fingers. They also develop their critical thinking skills as they explore and find new ways to utilize the materials they play with.
