Development at 66 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Fine Motor Development
Traces A Simple Maze
 I am learning to trace a simple maze! Draw a simple maze of straight and curved lines creating a path of 0.5cm in width. Place the picture of the maze on the table before me. Let me hold a pencil and observe if I am able to trace from one end of the maze to the other while keeping my pencil marking within the path. Let me have at least two practices first if this is the first time I am doing this. I am allowed to lift my pencil off the paper midway but I should be able to restart from where I left off. It is alright if I make one error while completing the maze. An error is counted when my pencil marking crosses the line of the maze. It is not considered an error if the pencil marking is on the line of the maze. Also do not let me tilt the paper to an angle greater than 45 degrees away from the horizontal. I usually develop the ability to trace a simple maze with a maximum of one error between 60 and 72 months (5 years and 6 years). |
Steps
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Draw a simple maze of straight and curved lines creating a path of 0.5cm in width.
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Place the picture of the maze on the table before your child.
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Let him hold a pencil and observe if he is able to trace from one end of the maze to the other while keeping his pencil marking within the path.
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Let him have at least two practices first if this is the first time he is doing this.
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He is allowed to lift the pencil off the paper midway but he should be able to restart from where he left off.
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It is alright if he makes one error while completing the maze. An error is counted when the pencil marking crosses the line of the maze. It is not considered an error if the pencil marking is on the line of the maze.
Feedback
Your child is developing great eye-hand coordination and pencil control skills in successfully tracing a maze. These skills are essential for writing and academic performance later. As he continues to develop, he will be able to trace through even more narrow and complicated mazes! 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 trace through mazes. Challenge him further by getting him to trace more complicated mazes or mazes with narrower paths.
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If you child has difficulties with the maze, start by encouraging him to simply trace his pencil over a straight vertical or horizontal path, before getting him to trace over curves.
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Let your child practice tracing mazes with a wider path first, for example a 1cm path, before progressing gradually to a 0.5cm path.
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You may line the two sides of the maze with glue to provide a resistance for your child as his pencil moves out of the path. This will provide additional feedback for him to keep his pencil marking on the path.
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Playing visual games like "Join the Dots" will help your child develop better eye-hand coordination.
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Let your child practice pencil control by getting him to trace over dotted lines (both straight and curved lines)."
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Social Development
Appropriately Orders Food In Public
 I learn how to order food in public by watching how you do it. Let me slowly try to order food with your help. Soon, I will enjoy the opportunity of ordering my food all by myself. I will feel so proud of myself when I can do that. I will start ordering my food appropriately between 64 and 72 months (5 year 4 months and 6 years). |
Steps
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Use any natural situations. Try to choose non-crowded times. E.g. in fast food and at the hawker center.
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Let your child start to order for his drinks first.
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Once he is familiar, let him also order for a simple meal.
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Observe how your child makes his order of food in public places. a. Is he able to state what he wants by looking at what is available? ; b. Is he able to tell the relevant person what he wants? ; c. Does he use polite terms like please?
Feedback
Your child is growing in his confidence and his ability to function in a social setting like a restaurant. You have done marvelously in providing opportunities for him to participate in relevant everyday social activities. He is able to look at the photograph menu, pick up what he wants and asks for it politely from the waiter. Do praise his efforts in making orders.
Look at our suggestions for some ideas to help your child understand and make orders for food in different places.
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Let your child practice ordering food in different places during pretend play sessions at home. You can then explain through play the details such as the role of the waiter, the reason why we use a menu, how to read the menu and how orders are taken, etc. Practicing at home first also allows the child to be familiar with how to order and what to say in different places. You can cut out newspaper offers of food and make your own menu. Have fun pretend playing.
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Read a funny story that describes the restaurant etiquette of a boy. Use it to explain what we are supposed to do in restaurant.
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Let your child start ordering small things like drinks first. Once he is comfortable with this, then let him order the food.
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Let your child practice ordering food in different places during pretend play sessions at home. You can then explain through play the details such as the role of the waiter, the reason why we use a menu, how to read the menu and how orders are taken, etc. Practicing at home first also allows the child to be familiar with how to order and what to say in different places. You can cut out newspaper offers of food and make your own menu. Have fun pretend playing.
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Do not rush the child while he is ordering something by himself.
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