Ball Pit Transfer
Area: Fine Motor
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 7-12 Months, 13-18 Months, 19-24 Months, 25-30 Months
Description:
Start with all the balls in the large bin. Arrange the two smaller boxes next to the large one and lay the tongs out. Invite the child to come over to the bins; the child can even sit inside of the bin containing the balls. Model using the tongs to pick up the ball and transfer to one of the other containers. When the balls have been transferred, the child can dump the balls back into the large bin, or use the tongs to transfer them back into the large bin or another container. When dumping the containers, the child can practice rotation skills. When using the tongs, they will practice grasping.
Needed Materials:
plastic balls (like those found in a ball pit) or other manipulatives, tongs, a large storage container or box, and multiple other smaller containers or boxes
Ball Time
Area: Communication
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 1-6 Months, 7-12 Months
Description:
When the baby in on his or her back, repeat the BA syllable leading towards ball. Ba-Ba-ball. Then hand the toy to the child. If the toy can be held with one hand by the infant, the child’s hand can be moved to the caregiver’s lips to feel how the sound is produced.
Needed Materials:
a ball that the child can hold with one hand or two, ideally tactually or auditorily interesting
Balloon “Bumpers”/”Safe Hands”
Area: Gross Motor
Daily Routine: Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 13-18 Months
Description:
• Place the blown up balloons in the laundry basket
• Set up the laundry hamper away from the laundry basket at a distance the child is able to walk
• Have the child reach into the laundry basket and retrieve a balloon
• The child then holds the balloon in front of his/her body as he/she walks until it makes contact with the laundry hamper – similar to how the child should use his/her hands for “bumpers” or “safe hands”
• He/She then reaches up to put the balloon into the hamper
• The child then crawls or walks back to the laundry basket and repeats until all of the balloons have been placed into the hamper
• Adaptations: Vary the location of the laundry hamper and use a sound source to help the child find where it is located; increase/decrease the distance between the basket and hamper
Needed Materials:
5-10 blown up 9in balloons
1 “tall” laundry hamper
1 laundry basket
http://eiviprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/safe-hands-150×150.jpg
Balloon Kicking
Area: Gross Motor
Daily Routine: Outside, Playtime, Bathtime
Developmental Age Range: 1-6 Months, 7-12 Months
Description:
How to make it: Start with laying the child on a blanket on the floor. Then, simply blow up the balloon (or buy a cheap one from your local dollar store) and tie a long string (about 4-5 feet) on the balloon. Take the other end of the string and very lightly tie it around one of the child’s legs. Make sure you can slide your hand under the ribbon and above the child’s leg to ensure the string is not overly tight. Experiment with making the string on the balloon at different lengths, starting closer to the body and gradually making it longer.
Fun Tip: Try this during bath time to encourage kicking and playing!
Fun Tip: You can do this indoors and outdoors! The balloon might move more outdoors but it will promote good visual skills in tracking the moving item.
Why this is helpful: This is a great activity to encourage gross motor, specifically with leg movement. The child may need some initial adult guidance to move his legs in order to see the balloon move and catch onto the idea. Once they get the hang of it, they’ll be kicking away! As the child kicks his legs, the balloon will move and gradually float down towards the child, even encouraging the child to want to reach out and touch the balloon as it approaches. This is a great activity for cause and effect, as the child learns that when he moves his leg, the balloon moves too. Additionally, this activity promotes good visual skills as the child will sustain his visual attention and track the moving item up/down or left/right, as well as scanning for and locating the balloon.
Needed Materials:
One slightly large, colorful balloon with a ribbon tied to it, and a blanket to lay the child on.
http://eiviprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/Balloon-Kicking-150×150.jpg
Balloon Volleyball
Area: Gross Motor, Math/Science
Daily Routine: Outside, Playtime
Developmental Age Range: 25-30 Months, 31-36 Months
Description:
• Hit the balloon back and forth with the child to see how many times it can be passed back and forth.
• When hitting the balloon, counting can be modeled and practiced with the child.
• When using glow sticks in the balloon (optional), this activity can also be done in the dark.
Needed Materials:
• Balloon
• Glow sticks (optional)
http://eiviprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/Balloon-Volleyball.doc