What to do with this activity?
Kids love to "make it happen". From a very young age they learn that "if I do this, I can make that happen". It's sometimes called the rule of "cause and effect".
For instance, a baby learns that if they shake a rattle it makes a noise; if they hit the water in their bath it makes a splash; if they laugh, other people laugh too. Also, show them that if they hold a crayon, they can make a mark on paper. Being able to make things happen gives your baby or toddler a sense of achievement and increased confidence.
Encourage your baby or toddler to explore their world and see what they can make happen. Let them enjoy toys that have buttons that make things pop up or make a noise - like the Jack-in-the-box pictured above. Lift them up to press the button at the pedestrian crossing, or to switch on the light. They soon learn that every thing they do has an effect, and that they can "make things happen".
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Why am I doing this?
Learning to move, reach and grasp helps children develop the muscles and skills to scribble and learn to write when they get older. Body awareness and learning to do big movements (like crawling and walking) and small movements like the pincer movement (where you lift up things with your index finger and thumb) are important parts of your child's development. It is part of awakening and developing your brain. For your young child, reaching for objects helps build their coordination and will help them hold crayons later on.
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How can I do more?
Have fun with your child dancing to music. This helps their coordination. If your child is moving their arms or body at all they are dancing!
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