Where is the Cake? for Language Development

The Skinny: Where is the Cake? and its sequel Where is the Cake Now? are wonderful illustrated books without any words. Taking away the text can be great for some children who are nervous about reading, and prompt them to create their own narratives about the pictures. What it is: Where is the Cake? and Where is…

Where is the Cake? for Language Development was originally published on KidConnectionZ

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Djubi for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination

djubi for motor planningThe Skinny: I came across this very clever toy that is great for motor planning and hand-eye coordination, as well as it is really fun to play!  It is called Djubi (pronounced Joo-bee).  As you can see from the picture, it’s a net with a hook on it.  You simply shoot the ball (similar to a sling shot, but easier) to your friend and they catch it with their net.  The ball is soft, so it doesn’t hurt if it hits you, and you can do it very softly to build confidence.

What it is: Djubi (Joo-bee)

What it’s used for: Motor Planning and Hand-Eye coordination

Ways to use it:

  • Motor Planning:
    • As you can see from the photo on the lower right, it takes a bit of motor planning to launch a Djubi.  And with this game, I would build up to it in two steps:
      • Just throw the ball to your friend, and let them catch it.  Start with the simple piece of underhand and then progress to “step-and-throw” overhand.
      • After they have that figured out, then move to the sling-shot action.  On the top of each of the nets is a little hook.  This hook is used for hooking the rubber band from the ball on.  Then, pull back and let go!  It’s pretty simple, but can be a bit tricky if you have some challenges.  Keep going until you get it!
  • Hand-Eye Coordination:
    • This is the other side of the game.  Catching the ball.
      • Start off slow, just underhand it to your kid to have them watch the ball into the net at slower speeds.
      • Increase the distance until they can catch it from across the yard.  Many kids have a difficult time with items coming directly at them.  Teach them to catch it off to the side, to alleviate some of these challenges.
      • Once they have the underhand in control, then move to sling-shotting the ball to them.  It will be farther distances and faster speeds, so it’s important to progress up to this level.

And don’t forget to HAVE FUN!!!

djubi for motor planningWhere to find it: Find Djubi on Amazon.

The Source: Found it in a toy store in South Bend.

Djubi for Motor Planning and Hand-Eye Coordination was originally published on KidConnectionZ

Draw Write Now for Vision and Fine Motor Planning

The Skinny: Draw Write Now is a drawing book… but really, it’s a lot more than that…they are educational books, where you don’t realize you are learning!  If you have a kid who happens to be hyper-focused on one subject, this can be a nice gateway to expand that focus. It is a tool that our…

Draw Write Now for Vision and Fine Motor Planning was originally published on KidConnectionZ