Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the teachers from the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning are sharing at-home activities to help you with ideas on how to best support your child’s development.
EXPLORING MAGNETS
Materials:
- assorted magnetic items.
Directions: As your child searches for items that are magnetic they will engage fine motor skills by sorting through small parts in addition to taking apart items that stick together. Encourage your child to make predictions, items can be sorted into groups (magnetic, not magnetic, strong magnets, weaker magnets, etc.)
PLAYING “YOGI SAYS” TO WORK ON EFFORTFUL CONTROL
Materials:
- pictures of yoga poses.
Directions: Yogi Says is Simon Says played with only yoga poses, this activity targets effortful control by requiring children to think and process directions before acting on their natural impulse (they should not change poses without you first saying “Yogi says”, if someone changes poses without “Yogi says” being said they can do three frog hops to reenter the game).
Modifications: Starting by practicing 3 or 4 yoga poses prior to starting can activate muscle memory and make this activity more successful. This is even more fun with more people, and you can change who is “Yogi” throughout the game.
RIDING BIKES OR SCOOTERS AROUND OBSTACLES
Materials:
- cones, cans, bottles or other items to ride around.
Directions: Set out the obstacles and walk through the course prior to riding through. You can have your child discuss various ways to make it through the course and add in additional elements such as going around a certain element twice or adding stops/other steps in along the way. You can help your child time and log each run through as an added challenge.
Modifications: This can also be done on foot, crawling, tightrope walking etc.
