Your Child Will Learn
Problem solving and fine motor skills
Here’s What to Do
- Let me watch you put a piece of cereal or other small snack into a small clear container with a narrow opening (like a spice bottle).
- Hand me the bottle to let me try to get the snack out.
- If I try lots of experiments but can’t get the snack, show me how to turn the container over. Then let me try again.
- Let me practice turning over containers in other play- like using water in a trial-size shampoo bottle to wash a doll’s hair, or putting sand in a spice shaker during sand play.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Give me a big hug before we begin.
ENGAGE
- “Look, I’m putting the snack puff in the bottle. Do you see? There it is!”
- “Can you get the cereal out of the bottle?”
ENCOURAGE
- Give me plenty of time to explore the bottle before you help me. Trial and error is how I learn.
- Cheer my efforts when I succeed.
REFLECT
- How easy or difficult was this task for me? What are other things we could do to help me practice this motion?
Not Quite Ready
If I’m not able to get the snack out on my own, gently guide my hand and wrist to help me learn the motion I need to make.
Ready for More
Help me solve problems with “tools”- like moving toys around using a wagon, or reaching something that rolled under the couch with a spatula.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will understand that the best way to get something out of a small container is by turning the container over.
Time to Complete
10 minutes
Materials Needed
A small clear container with a narrow opening (like an empty spice bottle), a piece of cereal or other small snack.