hand eye coordination

Modify a frustrating painting experience with these options:

1. Put the paint in an empty roll-on deodorant bottle so the child can roll on the paint.
2. Use sponge painting. Cut sponges into interesting shapes. With hot glue, attach a bead or spool as a handle. Dip the sponges in paint or food coloring and dot them on the paper.

Use a black paint pen or permanent marker on the base of a puzzle to outline and better define where each puzzle piece fits. You can color in the puzzle hole on the base and color the back of the puzzle piece to match (using a different color for each piece) for an extra clue. Cheating? Not at all– just another way to learn how to do the job!

When teaching the child to stay within the lines when coloring, choose a simple preschool coloring book or draw large pictures that only have a few areas to color. Put glue on the dark outline of the picture and let it dry. This will give the child a definite boundary to stay inside.

Plungers come in two sizes (for sink or for toilets). They make good stand up dowels to place napkin rings or extra large swim noodles beads. The tall plungers work for play in stand as they help child to balance body while placing napkin rings or swim noodle beads.

Cut PVC pipe in one-inch pieces. They make excellent beads as the opening is large for beginners. Find the thickest jump rope and cut to a size the child can handle. Use Elmer's glue on the cut end to stop fraying. When child holds a thick rope and uses large beads, they learn to use the interplay of both hands. It works better for beginners than a shoe string and beads.

Purchase swimming pool noodles. Use a serrated knife to cut the noodles in one or two inch pieces (as if cutting bread). Have the child hold a dollar store wooden spoon and put the rings on the handle of the spoon. This combines use of both hands and makes a cheap toy. Color matching can be integrated by using rings made from different color swim noodles. The noodles have a hole in the center so they make a cheap bead type play activity.