Physical Benefits
At a young age, puzzles help children to develop fine motor skills, which in everyday terms means the ability to make small (or fine) movements. The picking up, grasping or pincing of pieces helps to develop fine muscle control, which in turn helps your child when it comes to writing-ready time.
What about large motor skills? What? You've never seen a jigsaw puzzle being built with intermittent handstands? Guess you've never met Jude! This boy cracks me up!
Keep them laughing,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any good puzzles for kids that you'd like to share with us?
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Sometimes things just have a way of working themselves out, if you let them...and we did! All of us grown-ups watched in awe as Remy quietly sat down next to Jude, in the middle of his upset, and simply listened to his rant. Of course, we were clueless as to his explanation, but Remy understood every last word. (Or so, she acted like she did.) All I can tell you is 'it worked,' and after a cute exchange of funny faces, they were back at play.
Magical moments,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Please share with us your listening practices!
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Helping Jude do a tumblesault was easy. Getting him to stop was the challenge! I couldn't blame him at all. Growing up with four siblings, we spent many hours at the end of the day, testing our acrobatic skills on the living room rug. Back bends, hand stands, tumbles, and often rumbles would erupt competing for floor space and "now look at me" time. It was a terrific form of indoor exercise...not to mention, we all slept great at night!
Keep 'em moving,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any good indoor exercises for kids, you might share?
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Play Dough is a great, calming, sensory activity which helps with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and increases the attention span for children... and of course entertains this Grandmom to no end. I get to help squeeze, roll, and pat the dough before Jude pours the pieces from one container to the next. I can't wait to graduate to snakes and braids. In the meantime, I'd sure like to figure out an easier way to pick-up the dough from the rug. Any Play-Dough Vacs out there? Let me know if you've got any ideas!
Open for suggestions,
Bubbie
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If car number one gets pushed off the table at 1:00 p.m., and car number two is thrown across the table just one second later, which car lands on Bubbie's foot first? You guessed it! Both cars miraculously hit simultaneously. I'm thrilled to see Jude's fine motor skills , and gross motor skills being practiced at the same time, I just have to get my reflexive skills tuned up and outta' the way!
Watch for oncoming traffic,
Bubbie and Jude
P.S. Any suggestions to help kids develop their fine, and gross motor skills?
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