Give the Gift of Independence During the Holiday Season
(Part 3 of 3)
By Marianne Gibbs, MOT, OTR
As we conclude our holiday series entitled, "Give the Gift of Independence," we see even more opportunities to build hand skills through holiday season activities of making, paying for, wrapping, and giving of gifts!
Show Kids the Money
A hand-made gift created with love is always the best gift from a young child, but handling money and paying for gifts has hidden hand skill benefits as well! Handling coins and dollars bills builds grasp abilities and visual discrimination skills regarding color, size, and heft needed for a lifetime. Giving and receiving of change develops hands skills and increases conceptual awareness of money use in our daily lives. Assist children in paying for gifts and receiving change. Include children in the gift purchasing process - they will love it!
Wrap it Up
 The perfectly wrapped gift is one where a child helps to do the wrapping! Important hand and visual skills inherent in estimating/folding paper, snipping/cutting, tying bows or knots, and using tape are practiced during the wrapping process. While the wrap job may not be perfect - don't worry, our goal is that the child experiences the process of wrapping and associated skills that support classroom learning. Don't miss this opportunity to "wrap-up" independence for young children by having them help you with gift-wrapping.
Hands-On Gift Giving
When giving holiday gifts, have children do the carrying, holding, and the giving. Let children handle boxes, baskets, and gift bags to increase their sense of pride and involvement in the giving process. Plus, holding weighty objects provides input to vestibular and proprioceptive systems of the brain that allows for improved body awareness and movement through space. Carrying gifts facilitates coordination of hands and the whole body while moving. And nothing beats the feeling of pride when the child gives a gift himself! Now, there's a lot of gift-giving and gift-getting going on in that scenario!
Involve children in all aspects of gifting and you will boost their hand skills and confidence. Celebrate the holiday season and young children by giving the most important gift you can give them - the gift of independence!
Happy Holidays...Write out of the Box!
Marianne |
