Skill: Visual Perception

How the brain makes sense of what the eyes see. This skill helps children solve puzzles, recognize shapes, and tell the difference between similar letters like ‘b’ and ‘d’ or ‘p’ and ‘q’.

Spoon Glide Seesaw

Spoon Glide Seesaw

Steps:

  • Tape two long cardboard strips side-by-side to make a wide path.
  • Draw a colorful zigzag line down the middle with markers.
  • Place a ping pong ball at the start of the path.
  • Give your child a spoon.
  • Ask them to hold the cardboard track with both hands.
  • Tilt the board left and right to roll the ball.
  • Use the spoon in one hand to keep the ball on the line.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to ensure they use the spoon and ball safely.

The Craft Stick Picture Puzzle

The Craft Stick Picture Puzzle

Steps:

  • Line up five or six craft sticks side-by-side on a flat table.
  • Place a long strip of masking tape across the back to hold them together.
  • Flip the sticks over so the tape is on the bottom.
  • Ask your child to draw a simple picture across all the sticks using markers.
  • Carefully peel the masking tape off the back.
  • Mix up the craft sticks so the picture is out of order.
  • Challenge your child to put the sticks back in the right order to reveal the picture!

Safety Tip:
Supervise your child while they use markers to ensure they stay on the craft sticks. Check the sticks for splinters before starting the activity.

Vertical Post-It Peek-a-Boo

Vertical Post-It Peek-a-Boo

Steps:

  • Use masking tape to secure the cardboard vertically to a wall.
  • Make sure it is at your child’s chest or eye level.
  • Draw five large, bright shapes on the cardboard using your markers.
  • Write a different number inside each shape from 1 to 5.
  • Cover each shape completely with a single Post-It note.
  • Ask your child to reach up and peel a note to find a shape.
  • Challenge them to find a specific number you call out!
  • Have them stick the peeled notes onto their clothes for extra fun.

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity uses Post-Its and masking tape. Small pieces of paper or tape can be a choking hazard. Always supervise your child closely. Ensure they do not put these materials in their mouth.

The Beaded Rainbow Arch

The Beaded Rainbow Arch

Steps:

  • Roll two large balls of playdough into thick cloud shapes.
  • Place the clouds about six inches apart on a flat table.
  • Select a pipe cleaner and a handful of matching beads.
  • Have your child slide the beads onto the pipe cleaner one by one.
  • Push one end of the wire deep into the first playdough cloud.
  • Bend the wire into a curve and push the other end into the second cloud.
  • Repeat this for every color of the rainbow!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Beads and pipe cleaners are small and can be a choking hazard.

The Ziplock Button Slide

The Ziplock Button Slide

Steps:

  • Use markers to draw three different colored circles on the front of a Ziplock bag.
  • Place buttons that match those colors inside the bag.
  • Add a small splash of water to the bag.
  • Seal the bag very tightly to prevent leaks.
  • Tape the bag flat onto a table using masking tape.
  • Ask your child to use their pointer finger to slide buttons into the matching circles.
  • Encourage them to move slowly to keep the buttons under their finger.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Buttons are a choking hazard. Ensure the bag is sealed and taped down firmly.