15 Great Games and Chores for Pre-Schoolers (and these are not apps on an i-Pad)
Learning to write is a fine-motor skill, and it is being affected by the increase in technology use by pre-school children and elementary school children. To be a successful writer, humans begin developing fine motor skills in the hands as early as 3 months old! The hand muscles need to be developed for pinching, holding, and manipulating objects in order to write. Being able to write letters is fundamental to children recognizing letters for reading.
Make these chores, games and toys a staple in your home!
Children learn to strengthen the muscles in their hands through play and manipulation:
- Brushing their own teeth
- Combing their own hair
- Dressing themselves
- Setting the table including putting down the silverware
- Playing with Play-doh and clay
- Coloring in coloring books with large crayons and fat markers (not the skinny ones)
- Drawing their own creations on paper with large crayons and fat markers
- Playing with Mr. Potato Head, Light Bright, Hi-Ho Cherry-O, Operation, Pick-up Sticks, and Jenga
- Building with blocks,
- Building with Legos, Lincoln Logs, and puzzles
- Putting clothes on dolls, action figures, Barbies and Polly Pockets
- Making things with pipe cleaners, yarn, and stickers
- Using glue sticks and scissors
- Painting with a paintbrush and finger painting
- Making letters in shaving cream on a cookie sheet
All of these popular games, tools and “mess-making” toys prepare your child for learning to write and becoming an efficient writer along with reading. Don’t know how to teach your child to hold a marker or pencil correctly…check out this video. Your child will enjoy it, and you can watch it over and over again.
