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Stimulate child development: touch

Children are incredibly curious and love to touch everything! The fact that this is not always permitted because some objects can be dangerous for the child is a learning process for the child. However, there are various home, garden and kitchen objects that can keep your child entertained for hours and which at the same time promote tactile development. These games do not have to cost money and still provide an educational and enjoyable day.

What is the child allowed to touch?

It is extremely confusing for the child: it is not allowed to touch the leaves of the plant in the living room, but when mom is outside in the garden removing the weeds, the child is welcome to help. This distinction is often difficult for children to make, so it is not surprising that they occasionally touch objects that you do not want them to. In any case, it is advisable to store really dangerous items, such as medicines and sharp objects, in a place that the child cannot reach under any circumstances. A playful way to teach the child which objects he can and cannot touch is to offer an alternative or create special drawers in the cupboard that the child can touch. As the child gets older, you can also verbally support the child in what he or she can and cannot touch.

Experiment

Children, young and old, love to experiment. Most of the day is spent on this. It is very important that you as a parent are on your guard because the child will want to touch everything that is within reach. There are a number of games with which you can let your child experiment safely and keep the urge to investigate somewhat under control.

Button board

Buttons attract the child’s greatest attention. Whether you have to pull it or twist it, it can keep a child entertained for hours. That is why you can make a so-called button board, on which various rotary and push buttons are attached. It is of course great fun if, for example, a hatch opens when the child turns the knob in the right direction.

The flashlight

The flashlight is an extremely fascinating object! By pressing a button the flashlight lights up, only to go out again when you press the button again! In the beginning, let the child play with the flashlight in a well-lit area. Later your child will have a lot of fun with the mystery of the moving light spot on the wallpaper.

The radio

An old radio with buttons can make an ideal learning partner for the child. One button changes the volume, the other button changes the radio station and yet another button distorts the sound!

Sort mail

The incoming mail and advertising brochures are excellent training material for the child’s motor skills. The child will learn very quickly how to open an envelope or how to tear the leaflets from the plastic packaging.

Plastic bottles

From now on, do not immediately return plastic bottles to the supermarket, but fill them with currants or another treat that the child has to get out of the bottle himself. Of course, you can also let the child fill the bottle with water or sand, for example. The bottle cap can also be very interesting to twist on and off the bottle.

Cans

Find three cans together (without sharp edges!) that fit together in size. Your child will be entertained for hours! Not only with fitting the cans together, but also with stacking the cans. Some children even start a real solo concert by hitting their cans together.

Water fun

On a warm day (or at home in the bath), the child can enjoy splashing around with water. Empty shampoo bottles, spoons and metal bowls make great experimental materials. Surprise your child by adding some ice cubes to the water.

Watering the plants

Older children can easily learn to water the plants. Start outside with the large sprinkler in the garden and then also water the smaller plants using a watering can.

Collector

Take a bucket or box with you when you go for a walk together. Stop every now and then and collect all kinds of objects and put them in the bucket or box. Your child will also love to fill a bucket and start a collection.

To share

Some children really enjoy dividing objects together. For example, place two containers and take turns putting a currant or piece of fruit in one of the containers. Try alternately placing a currant in the same container, and then again in both containers, and so on.

Playhouse

A large cardboard box or crate can make an ideal base for a playhouse. Make sure that there are no sharp objects such as staples or nails on the cardboard box or crate that could injure your child.