2 and 3-dimensional shape words, like “triangle,” “circle,” “cube,” “sphere. ” Shape descriptors, such as “curved,” “straight,” or “round. ” Texture words, like “smooth,” “rough,” “soft,” or “bumpy. ” Words that describe spatial relationships, like “under,” “over,” “near,” “far,” “left,” and “right. ” Comparative words, like “bigger,” “smaller,” “shorter,” “longer. ”
Get your child more excited about block play by joining in. You might come up with a story and work together with your child to create a “set” for the story. Have your child combine block play with other toys. For example, you could say, “Let’s build a castle for your dolls! We should give it a moat and drawbridge so that the dragon can’t get in. ”
Spot-the-difference games are also a great way to get your child thinking visually. Look for spot-the-difference card games or apps designed for kids. Another great game is “I-spy. " This game helps kids learn how to identify objects based on descriptors, rather than a name. They’ll learn to describe the objects themselves, and they’ll have fun guessing what your object is.
You can also try 3-D puzzles or model making, which push these skills even further.
For example, you might say, “That’s an interesting choice. Why did you use two shorter blocks there instead of one long one?” or “Would it be more stable if we staggered the bricks, like this?”
While video games can be beneficial, they can also eat up your child’s time and interfere with other activities. Limit your child’s time playing video games to a few hours a week. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against exposing children under the age of 2 to any kind of screen time. There is no clear evidence that video games are beneficial to children before the age of 3. [11] X Research source
“What shape would I get if I cut your sandwich this way? How about like this?” “Wow, feel the bark on this tree! How does it feel to you?” “What do you think is the best way to fit your toys into this box?”
Allow your child to add things they find interesting to their space. While lots of visual stimuli are great in areas where your child plays and relaxes, don’t over-clutter areas where your child works. Your child may become distracted if there are too many things to look at. [13] X Research source
Select toys that are appropriate for your child’s age range. Look at the suggested age range on the toy’s packaging, or ask a teacher or pediatrician for suggestions.
If you are trying to help your child concentrate, try playing quiet classical music without vocals, like a gentle Chopin Nocturne or one of Bach’s soothing Cello Suites. To encourage your child to get up and move, try a bouncy dance number like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, or “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles.
Ask your child’s doctor or teacher about arranging a WISC-IV test for your child. You may need to have your child’s perceptual reasoning tested if they struggle with fine motor skills and spatial awareness or become easily agitated when exposed to nonverbal stimuli. [19] X Research source Children with perceptual reasoning issues may also have trouble in social situations because they do not pick up on subtle facial expressions and other nonverbal cues. [20] X Research source
Your pediatrician or your child’s teacher or school psychologist may be able to help you find an occupational therapist for your child.
