Learning Gross and Fine Motor Skills

Some playthings are actually going to teach your child both fine and gross motor skills at the same time. Take for example a rattle or a dummy. As they learn to grasp that object in their tiny hand they are at the very beginning stages of learning fine motor skills. However, getting it to their mouth is the very first step in gross motor skills.

Mobiles hanging above a crib are an ideal way to encourage motor skills as it will delight your child, attract his or her attention and soon your baby will be reaching up for that lovely musical ‘thing’ that is hanging just out of reach.

 

The Wonder of Cause and Effect – Cognitive Thinking

Although a child begins learning cause and effect with such things as rattles (if I shake it, this thing makes noise!) that is only the very beginning of cognitive thinking. If I cry mommy comes; if I laugh mommy laughs and so forth down the line. But there are a great number of other toys and games which teach cause and effect, also known as the art of cognitive thinking. Puzzles, for instance, are wonderful because children learn to ‘fit the pieces together.’ Isn’t that what life is all about? Learning to put things in proper perspective? At this point in a child’s development mums and dads will want to work with colors, numbers, shapes and sizes as well. Building blocks and stacking rings are ideal for working with all three; colors, sizes and shapes.