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Just like language comprehension and socialization, a child’s motor skills and coordination are integral to their development. They facilitate a wide variety of movements such as holding a pencil, tying shoelaces, or catching a ball. If you want to know what you can do to help your little one develop and strengthen these things, here are a few fun and easy children’s activities you can try.

Strengthen Motor Skills & Coordination With These Children’s Activities

1. Hopscotch

Great for improving coordination and balance, this game can be played with or without other kids. Traditionally, it starts by throwing a small object on a numbered square, hopping through the course, and skipping that square. However, for a twist, you could leave out the throw and just tell them to skip a particular number; that way they can practice number recognition as well. 

2. Drawing & Painting

children's activitiesBeyond fostering creativity and self-expression, holding a paintbrush, marker, crayon, or colored pencil improves the strength and precision of children’s fingertips and hands. Since more school work is done via computers and tablets instead of handwriting, refining these skills are more important than ever.

3. Freeze Tag

Great for those nearing preschool age, this variation adds a level of complexity while still sharpening their coordination as they run around. Instead of alternating who is “it” every time someone is tagged, one person is assigned the role and “freezes” the other players. Frozen players cannot move until another player tags them, but that could mean getting tagged in the process. When everyone is frozen, a new player can be chosen as “it.”

4. Jigsaw Puzzles

Ideal for rainy days and winter, this activity is perfect for building their finger grip as well as hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, as they pick up and examine every piece and how it might fit into the larger image, they’re developing cognitive skills. Then, once it’s all done, their self-esteem and confidence get a boost too.

5. Simon Says

This classic instructional game combines both coordination and language comprehension. While it’s traditionally played with multiple people, parents can play it one-on-one with their kid. Begin with simple instructions like “touch your nose” and “spin around,” then gradually work up to something more specific like “lift your right foot off the ground” or “cover your left eye with your left hand.”

 

 

To further enrich your child’s education, enroll them at Plainville Early Learning Center. Located in Hartford County, CT, their programs and children’s activities are thoughtfully designed to ensure a child’s early development is well-rounded. They offer a home away from home for children as young as 18 months to 3 years old. To learn more about their programs, visit their website. To enroll your child a program, call (860) 747-3321.

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