Our ‘12 Days of Christmas Gifts’ theme of the day is fine motor skills. A fine motor skill is the coordination of small muscle movements, which occur in body parts such as the fingers, usually in coordination with the eyes. Fine motor skills are important in learning and life.
Duplo blocks are large manipulatives and an excellent toy for children ages 15 months to 2 years old. Block building helps children with fine motor coordination as they try to assemble the bricks. Lego makes GREAT duplo block sets. They come in girl and boy colors, wide price range, and a variety of different pieces.
Below is the Lego website that includes a link to explain Duplo blocks and child development.
Play-doh for the 3 year old Junior Room is not only fun for the children, it is included in our curriculum as a fine motor skill. The teachers also allow the children to use scissors while playing with play-doh. Both scissors and play-doh can be found at your local Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart.
This link is to the Hasbro Play-Doh website which includes many activities to do with Play-Doh
In our Pre-K room, is when we really begin to see the 4 year old artists coming out of their shell. For this age, we recommend an art set. The children are old enough to understand what to do with each tool and are able to freely enjoy it. Crayola makes an 'Ultimate Art Supply' case that includes water color paints, colored pencils, markers, a variety of paper, and scissors. It can be found at a variety of store for $20.
Our last Christmas gift of the day for Kindergarten is drawing stencils. Stencils are a small fine motor manipulative that requires children to use both hands. One hand to firmly hold the stencil down, while the other holds a pencil. There are many websites that you can find printable stencils, but a variety of different sets can be found on the Discount School Supply Website
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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