| Many parents are looking for ways to give their | | | | For a fun early childhood activity try making |
| children the tools they will need for later in life. It is | | | | homemade play dough and allowing the children to help |
| important that parents work with their children early on | | | | in measuring the ingredients. Creating your own play |
| to develop some much needed skills. It has been | | | | dough also allows the children to work on their color |
| proven that children are more likely to learn a new skill | | | | recognition by choosing their desired colors. |
| through play. Here are some important activities for | | | | Playing with Blocks |
| early childhood that your children are sure to find fun. | | | | In a child's early years it is very important to give them |
| Coloring | | | | many activities that develop their fine motor skills. |
| Many people may not look at coloring as an important | | | | Playing with blocks is can teach a child many things. |
| activity. However, encouraging a child to color has | | | | Blocks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, textures |
| many benefits. Coloring will help a young child develop | | | | and colors. In early childhood you should begin with |
| their fine motor skills. Often children are first exposed | | | | large blocks so that the children does not get |
| to how to grip a writing instrument when coloring. It is | | | | frustrated and give up. You should not introduce small |
| thought that children that color often during their early | | | | blocks right away as they can also be a choking |
| childhood find it easier when learning how to write. As | | | | hazard. Children can learn how to sort the blocks as |
| young children become more accustom to coloring try | | | | well as how to maneuver the blocks when stacking |
| using other tools such as an easel or tape the paper | | | | them. Many experts suggest that you have few |
| to the wall. You can also introduce markers, colored | | | | different types of blocks such as foam and wood. |
| pencils and chalk to give them a new experience and | | | | This will teach a child about the difference in weight |
| broaden their coloring ability. A simple activity would be | | | | and texture. |
| to trace your child’s hand and have them practice | | | | Painting |
| coloring within the lines. | | | | There is a lot of fun and learning that can be |
| Play Dough | | | | accomplished with painting. Painting comes in many |
| Playing with play dough is a fun activity for young | | | | styles such as finger painting and water colors. Painting |
| children. Many are not aware but this is a great | | | | can help the children learn about mixing the colors to |
| exercise to develop a child's fine motor skills. Play | | | | create other colors. Painting in early childhood helps a |
| dough can be used to help a child learn many things | | | | child develop hand-eye coordination. When beginning |
| such as shapes and letters. Introducing rolling pins and | | | | painting have a variety of paint and brushes available |
| child safe scissors is also a way to help develop a | | | | to allow the children to be creative. |
| child's fine motor skills and makes the activity more fun. | | | | |