Stimulating Eye Hand Coordination - 19 Month Old to 21 Month Old
His improved attention span enables your child to copy with more complex eye hand coordination challenges.
At times he is totally preoccupied with, say, lifting something from a plate or fitting a toy together - his face is a picture of concentration as he persists in his attempt to complete the activity.
Your toddler's increased confidence motivates him to try harder with more difficult games and puzzles.
Suitable suggestions for Eye Hand Coordination
(19 Month Old - 21 Month Old)
Wooden Board Games
He will naturally tend to play with toys that he can manage without too much difficulty. For instance, he'll play with wooden board games (inset boards) he has already mastered, even though they are no longer a challenge.
You may need to encourage him to persist with new toys and puzzles - he may prefer familiarity to novelty.
Once you are aware of his level of eye hand coordination, buy him an inset board that is difficult for him to complete but not too demanding. If he puts it to one side at first, sit with him and suggest that you do it together.
Minimize Visual Distractions
Your toddler finds it easier to concentrate on an eye hand coordination activity when there are few other visual distractions.
Suggest that he clears some of his other toys away before starting on something new. Having only one toy at a time in his immediate visual field increases the likelihood that he'll complete the task.
Give him lots of praise when he does persist until completion.
Natural Curiosity
He does lots of reaching and touching, whether or not you give him permission. This is a sign of natural curiosity, not naughtiness, and is probably best dealt with in a firm but relaxed manner. Tell him what he can and cannot touch around the house, and explain why not.
During the 19 month old development to 21 month old development your toddler begins to understand explanations.
The same applies when you visit someone else's house - tell him beforehand that he mustn't touch objects in the house and remind him again as necessary when you are there.
Be prepared for him to try to bend the rules, however. You will need to remain vigilant for potential hazards.
Messy fingers
If you can, provide access to a sand-and-water tray. Mix the sand with just enough cold water to create a firm texture - if you make it too runny, there's not much he can do with it.
Getting his hands messy in this play mixture is good for his hand eye coordination. He can squeeze the sand mud between his fingers, build shapes with it or even draw pictures in its smooth surface.
Top Tips for Eye Hand Coordination
(19 Month Old - 21 Month Old)
- Resist the temptation to compare your child.
- Provide modeling materials.
- Wiggle his fingers.
- Play hand eye coordination games.
- Use household items.
He will develop eye and hand coordination at his own rate. You may know other children his age who have better hand control than he does, but comparisons with them only make you anxious and dent his self confidence.
He can make any shape he wants from clay or play dough, and if he doesn't like what he has made, he can squash it and start again. As long as it doesn't dry out, clay or dough can be used again and again.
Demonstrate how you can stretch your hands wide open and wiggle you fingers in the air. You toddler will try to imitate you, although he'll find that he can't move his fingers in such a coordinated fashion as you.
Name specific objects in the room and ask your child to point to them. He'll then scan the area, spot the object you have named and point his index finger towards it. This type of 'I spy' game is great fun.
His eye hand coordination benefits when he plays with everyday items. Dried pasta, for instance, can be arranged into many different patterns, and flour and water combine into a sticky mixture that he can manipulate.
Top Toys for a 19 Month Old - 21 Month Old
- set of stacking rings or beakers
- doll with buttons and zips on its clothing
- construction blocks of varying shapes and sizes
Be sure to browse through all the eye hand coordination pages that is broken down in different age groups.
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