early child development

Tactics to Help Early Child Development

In the meantime, parents can encourage dexterity with inexpensive homemade games and toys. Keep in mind that children learn by touch, and smell, and taste, as well as hearing and sight. So to help a young child learn to write, spread shaving cream on a tabletop and let him or her "draw" in it, Dr. Patterson advised. Old squeeze bottles make tub toys that improve hand strength. Even popping plastic bubble wrap can help improve finger coordination, as long as someone supervises for safety.

Happily, doing chores is also a skill-builder. Folding towels, putting silverware into the proper bins, and helping set the table all improve physical control. So do learning to spread butter with a knife and helping with baking by stirring, pouring and scooping. Sweeping the floor helps develop coordination on both sides of the body.

To help eye-hand coordination, cut an empty laundry detergent bottle in half and use the part with the handle to catch beanbags. Tape an empty paper towel roll upright on a board, and use it as a ring toss peg.

In addition, Dr. Patterson said, parents can check out toys from a library at the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati to give the more expensive toys a test run before purchase.(early child development)