In this post, I will be sharing screen-free activities, which helped in the development of literacy and other critical skills for my children in their early years.
I did research and looked for battery-free toys which would not only engage the kids but also help them to learn critical skills. For building fine motor skills (which are essential for hand coordination required for writing), I recommend lacing toys, which involve threading a lace through holes. It is important to supervise the younger kids while using laces. My kids also like simple activities which involve using tongs for moving small items like pom poms. Play dough is also one of the favourites in our house. We have used both store-bought and homemade play dough. It does not only provide hours and hours of fun to kids as they enjoy making their own creations but it also helps with developing motor skills when they roll, flatten, cut and shape using play dough tools. Moreover, letting the children use scissors (age appropriate) for cutting lines, shapes and pictures from flyers help in developing the fine motor skills.
Both my children also love tracing letters with dry erase markers. Providing the little ones with papers, crayons, washable markers and stickers also encourage them to draw and write. They start with scribbling but then they learn to make lines, shapes and pictures (which at first, may not look like anything to us but then they start to look like whatever our little ones name them).
I also recommend giving many opportunities to kids for pretend play. When kids play and make their stories with dolls, stuffed toys, kitchen set, cars, etc, they not only learn to use the acquired vocabulary but they also surprise you with their imaginative thinking. We often find them imitating our actions while they are busy in pretend play.
Moreover, I love the building toys like MegaBloks, Lego, wooden blocks, magnetic blocks etc. as they provide endless ways for kids to think, create, talk and play. Also, introducing jigsaw puzzles not only get the children thinking but also teach them problem solving skills. We started with simple shapes and farm animals matching puzzles and slowly progress to complex 48-pieces puzzles.
I did research and looked for battery-free toys which would not only engage the kids but also help them to learn critical skills. For building fine motor skills (which are essential for hand coordination required for writing), I recommend lacing toys, which involve threading a lace through holes. It is important to supervise the younger kids while using laces. My kids also like simple activities which involve using tongs for moving small items like pom poms. Play dough is also one of the favourites in our house. We have used both store-bought and homemade play dough. It does not only provide hours and hours of fun to kids as they enjoy making their own creations but it also helps with developing motor skills when they roll, flatten, cut and shape using play dough tools. Moreover, letting the children use scissors (age appropriate) for cutting lines, shapes and pictures from flyers help in developing the fine motor skills.
My 2.75 year old using tongs and scissors
My 2.75 year old engaged in lacing activities
Both my children also love tracing letters with dry erase markers. Providing the little ones with papers, crayons, washable markers and stickers also encourage them to draw and write. They start with scribbling but then they learn to make lines, shapes and pictures (which at first, may not look like anything to us but then they start to look like whatever our little ones name them).
I also recommend giving many opportunities to kids for pretend play. When kids play and make their stories with dolls, stuffed toys, kitchen set, cars, etc, they not only learn to use the acquired vocabulary but they also surprise you with their imaginative thinking. We often find them imitating our actions while they are busy in pretend play.
Moreover, I love the building toys like MegaBloks, Lego, wooden blocks, magnetic blocks etc. as they provide endless ways for kids to think, create, talk and play. Also, introducing jigsaw puzzles not only get the children thinking but also teach them problem solving skills. We started with simple shapes and farm animals matching puzzles and slowly progress to complex 48-pieces puzzles.
Proud of creating a rocket with Megabloks
My 2.75 year old engaged in solving his favourite fire truck puzzle and building using magnetic blocks
Amazing article MashaAllah!! Please share some screen free activities for kids who are an year old as it is very hard for them to make them understand.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteAs I mentioned in one of my previous posts, you can start reading board books to a 1 year old. They like looking at colourful pictures. If possible, try to child-proof an area in your house and set up safe items and age-appropriate toys in it and let your child roam freely and explore. Also, whenever you get time, sing songs to them and play silly games (like peek-a-boo, tickle tickle) with them. You can try age appropriate stacking toys, textured balls, blocks, etc. Last but not the least, keep on talking with your child as they are constantly learning from their adults.
I hope it helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.