Sometimes when I look at the age recommendations that are included on toys, I wonder who in the world decided the age range for the item, and what out-of-this-world criteria did they use for imposing such an age? I understand that these numbers are just a guide to follow, and I often buy toys designed for older children and give them to my young children (supervised, of course) because the toy can teach a skill that younger children need to learn.
For example, the games “Bed Bugs” and “Operation” have both received a recommended age guideline of six years or older. However, the use of the tweezers-like instrument to play the game is exactly the skill I need my preschool children to develop. My children get to practice their fine motor skills while playing a game they enjoy.
Perhaps it is because younger children may get frustrated or perhaps the rules are considered too advanced, but whatever the reason for setting a lower age guideline, I have decided that many of these toys are perfect for developing skills in younger child.
*Please note: Some games are recommended for ages three and above due to choking hazards. If you are allowing your child to play with a toy that is recommended for older children, please supervise them closely and place the toy out of reach when not in use.
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Written by BRWI Staff on September 15, 2010
I can remember sitting at the table as a little girl, diligently working in my very special coloring books. These books were special because they were just a bit different than regular coloring books where you simply colored in the manufactured pictures. My favorite books were those that had tracing paper in between each page. Before you colored in a picture, you would first use your pencil to
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Written by Laura on September 3, 2010
Kids love to play. They love to imagine they are a superhero, a dog, a princess, or a character from whatever theme they are into at the moment. Take advantage of this interest and help your child develop their fine motor skills by weaving activities into their play that involve cutting.
Last year for Christmas my boys received a cash register as a gift. It has been wonderful watching them pret
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Written by Laura on August 21, 2010
Stencils are a great way to encourage children to practice fine motor skills while creating a quick and easy piece of art. However, stencils require some practice and coordination so they can be frustrating at first. here are some tips for using stencils with your preschool child:
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Written by BRWI Staff on July 12, 2010
Have you ever dropped a small bead or other tiny object and found it impossible to pick it up because it was so small? Without good fine motor skills, children can encounter this same frustration even when objects are the size of an o-shaped cereal. Practicing this skill, called the pincer grasp, with tweezers can help children master the ability to pick up small objects with their fingers.
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Written by BRWI Staff on June 18, 2010
Even at this young age, your child has probably already had experiences painting with their fingers and paintbrushes. They may have used watercolors, temperas, and finger paints. Here is another way to paint using similar mediums but in a new way.
Painting with ice cubes gives children an opportunity to paint while experiencing a new sensation. While holding a popsicle stick, the color flows as
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Written by BRWI Staff on May 19, 2010
I can remember, as a child, drawing in coloring books where you were supposed to use the extra special, thin paper to trace an image and then color it. I haven’t seen any of those books around for years. However, the skills which tracing develops are still just as important.
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Written by BRWI Staff on February 4, 2010
When you need to write a letter, a list, or even just sign your name, you simply pick up your pencil or pen and write. Unfortunately, it isn’t so simple for a child who is not used to writing. Writing takes many skills which you may not have considered before. Balance, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills are all needed for printing properly. Before your child ever writes her fir
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Written by BRWI Staff on January 21, 2010
Usually, when children first lay eyes on a pair of scissors, they want to scoop them up and start cutting. However, this excitement often dwindles quickly because trying to use scissors when you don’t know how can be very frustrating. In order to entice your little one to keep trying, create the following easy-to-make cutting “worksheets”.
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Written by BRWI Staff on September 21, 2009
It is probably safe to assume that most preschool children have made a cereal necklace at some point in their young lives. This simple and fun activity can also be taken a step or two further to help children learn about colors and patterns in addition to developing fine motor skills.
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Written by BRWI Staff on September 11, 2009
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