If you have a mountain of soft toys at your house like we do perhaps using them for some gross motor development (otherwise known as, a fun and easy indoor throwing game) might appeal to your little one.
All you need are soft toys, a piece of masking tape and a toy bucket/basket/laundry hamper etc.
Use your masking tape (or anything you have on hand, a skipping rope for example etc) to make a line for your child to stand behind.
She practiced throwing over-arm
Jumping for joy after getting it in
Practicing her under-arm throw
Handy Tips:
- Simplify this activity by having the tub/bucket etc. much closer and using instruction and directions to help your child learn to throw. Encourage them to watch where they want the toy to land; follow through with their arm in the direction they are trying to throw etc
- Extend this activity by moving the tub further away from your child. Ask them questions about the different toys they are throwing. Why did that toy only land that far when you threw it the same as the previous toy? This engages their thinking and encourages them to think about the most effective toss for different types of toys. Some toys are heavier, some are lighter, bigger, smaller etc. This makes a difference to how they need to be thrown and the force behind the toss. Discuss this with your child. You could also incorporate some measuring to see how far away the tub is from the line and how much further away you can move it after each level.
- Practicality- Using a larger space in your house for something like this is a good idea and just remembering not to have them aiming towards your finest Ming vase goes without saying :) Perhaps reminding them that this is a set up activity and that we don't play this game inside with other items or without permission.
- Control- Encourage them to demonstrate control. If they can't manage the control and they aren't actually aiming for the tub etc. perhaps try again at another time. This will save your sanity (and house).
- Skills- reinforcing the gross motor skills and hand eye coordination needed for this task is important so that your child can improve their skills.
- Keep Playing- Move the tub further and further away from your child to challenge them until they can no longer make the distance. Learn with them. Do they need to adjust their throwing style for a further distance?
Debs :)
Look where else we play too. Come and play with us :)
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love this! finally something to do with all those stuffed animals piled on a rocking chair in my son's room :)
ReplyDeleteI totally know the feeling! I think they must multiply in the night haha. Thanks :)
Deletehaha! We have a ton of stuffed animals that reside on my son's top bunk. His favorite game for the longest time was the throw the animals up on the top bunk. Would actually entertain him for hours! Very cute.
ReplyDeletehaha, the kids don't need us to come up with the games, do they? hehe. And your son will probably turn out to be a pro basketball player lol (please tell me if he does..lol) ;)
DeleteWhat a fun way to use the plethora of stuffed animals we have lying around. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI imagine many households in the same boat! They certainly get given plenty of them. Thanks :)
Deletewhat a fun idea!! we have sooo many of these! will have to remember this when the weather gets hot!
ReplyDeleteI am very jealous of you guys and your summer on now. I miss summer! Go and play outside for us :D
DeleteGreat idea to get them to pack away the toys to! I have a soft toy cull every six months. It is amazing how they breed!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea Amie. (well, it would be useful for us if she actually got the soft toys out to play with... which is very rarely!) It's true, they do breed! Perhaps that's advice we can give to new mothers. Don't buy any soft toys as without even trying your house will end up full of them :D
DeleteA terrific way to put all those stuffed animals to good use! Time to drag them out of my basket:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah :) I'll take any ideas for how they can be used as we certainly don't have a shortage of them!
Delete(With the 5-6 year olds I used to teach, soft toys were used as "reading buddies" They would take a soft toy to read aloud to (or tell stories to) and it was very effective in encourage them to read.)
thanks for linking this up :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for posting this on Saturday Show and Tell. This activity would also fit into my summer activities list for Toddlers (http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/summer-activities-for-toddlers/). Check it out and feel free to post any other activities that would fit. I love your creativity.
ReplyDelete-Mackenzie
You're welcome. Thanks so much. I'll be sure to have a look and link up some more ideas :)
DeletePlay is a crucial aspect in any child’s life. It is through this activity that some of the most essential skills are honed and developed. Motor skills, hand to eye coordination, spatial awareness and visual skills are only few of the many skills that children in their early years learn through playing with toys. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteUseful information ..I am very happy to read this article..thanks for giving us this useful information. Fantastic walk-through. I appreciate this post. soft toys
ReplyDeleteAnother incredible choice is to blessing toys that include the youngster physically. Bicycles, autos and stuff from John Deere and Razor are thoughts I have at the top of the priority list when suggesting this. rosnalle
ReplyDelete