Development at 32 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Fine Motor Development
Uses Scissors to Cut Along Line
 I am learning to cut along a line! Let me hold a pair of scissors in one hand and a sheet of paper with my other hand. Observe if I am able to manipulate the pair of scissors successfully to cut the paper along a straight line of approximately 15cm. You may need to show me how to cut along a straight line first. Please never leave me alone with a pair of scissors. I usually develop the ability to cut along a 15cm line between 24 and 48 months. |
Steps
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Let your child hold a pair of scissors in one hand and a sheet of paper with his other hand.
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Observe if he is able to manipulate the pair of scissors to cut the paper along a straight line approximately 15cm long. Premium members : You can login and print out the picture under the "Tools" section.
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You may need to show him how to cut along a straight line first.
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Always ensure close supervision when your child is handling any sharp objects.
Feedback 1
Your child is learning to coordinate both his hands well in using a scissors to cut. He is also developing very good finger control and visual-motor integration skills. Although this may seem like a simple task, your child needs to coordinate numerous sensory-motor systems in order to achieve this! Well done! You may look at suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Provide lots of opportunities for your child to cut along lines using a pair of scissors. Always ensure close supervision when your child is handling any sharp objects.
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As your child gets better at cutting paper, let him try cutting harder materials such as a sheet of cardboard.
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You may gradually let him try cutting along a wavy or circular line on the paper.
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Feedback 2
If your child has some difficulty in cutting, you can try to physically guide him by holding his hand and helping him cut along the line. Gradually decrease your help as he improves. Try the following ideas as well.
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You can draw thicker lines initially with a marker, or thick crayon so as to provide a wider area to cut along.
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You can also decrease the length of the line by keeping it shorter initially so that it can be snipped in one go and then gradually increasing the length as he improves.
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Use a small sheet of paper so that he can hold it comfortably in his hand.
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You can also draw 2 vertical lines about 1 to 2 inches from each other and ask him to cut within the space without touching the lines. Gradually decrease the width as he improves till he can cut along a line.
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 If your child is using his left hand to cut, please obtain scissors for left-handers available commercially.
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Choose small scissors (3.5 to 4.5 inches in length), with sharp blades, rounded tips and small finger loops to promote better control of fingers."
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Gross Motor Development
Broad Jumps At Least 35cm
 I am learning to jump further now! Observe if I am able to jump forward a distance of at least 35cm, with my feet lifting off together. My feet may land at the same time or one just after the other. Take the measurement from the heel of my foot that is further back. You may need to demonstrate the activity for me to imitate. I usually develop this skill when I am between 30 and 35 months old. |
Steps
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Stick a piece of masking tape of 35cm in length on the floor to mark the start and end.
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Ask your child to stand just behind the masking tape and jump forward as far as he can.
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Observe if your child is able to jump forward a distance of at least 35cm, with his feet lifting off together.
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My feet may land at the same time or one just after the other. Take the measurement from the heel of my foot that is further back.
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You may demonstrate jumping forward for your child to imitate.
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Ensure that your child bends his knees before jumping and lands with knees slightly bent and feet about hip-width apart. This is important with all jumping activities to prevent injury.
Feedback
Your child is developing good leg muscle strength, propulsion and body coordination at this stage. Jumping is an activity that requires good coordination between the upper and lower parts of the body. As your child's ability improves, he will be able to land with both his feet together. You may look at the suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Provide lots of opportunities for your child to jump up, down and as far as he can to help him develop good leg muscle strength, propulsion and body coordination.
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Create a game where everyone jumps like little kangaroos for as great a distance as possible!
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If your child cannot jump that far, place a target on the floor 20-30cm away from your child (you may use any picture and paste it on the ground) and get him to jump forwards onto the target or colored tape.
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Slowly move the target further away as your child develops the ability to jump over a greater distance.
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Encourage your child to jump as far as he can from a step, for example, from the last step of a flight of stairs. Use a trampoline or old mattress for your child to jump off from (where possible).
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