306 chapter 35
At first a child can only grasp large objects with
her whole hand. As she grows she will be able
to pick up and hold smaller things with thumb
and fingers. Help her do this by playing with
objects of different sizes.
To help strengthen grip, play ‘tug-of-war’ with
the child—making it a fun game.
As the child gains more and more control,
introduce toys and games that help develop
hand-eye coordination. For ideas, see p. 318.
Make games of putting
things in and out of
boxes and jars.
Playing with toys and imitating the work and play of others helps the child gain
more skillful use of his hands.
cp 4. Activities for body control, balance, and sitting
After a child gains good head control, he normally starts sitting through these stages:
sits when
placed in
a sitting
position
and held
sits,
keeping
balance
with
arms
balances with
body while
sitting,
freeing hands
for play
sits up
alone from
a lying
position
In order to sit well a child needs to be able to hold her body up, to use her hands to
catch and support herself, and finally to balance with her body so that she can turn
and reach.
If the child simply falls
over when you sit him up,
help him develop a protective
reaction with his arms. Put
him on a log, hold his
hips, and slowly roll him
sideways. Encourage him
to ‘catch’ himself with a
hand.
Or do the same thing
with the child on
your belly.
After the child learns to
‘catch’ herself when lying,
sit her up, hold her above
the hips, and gently push
her from side to side,
and forward and
backward so that
she learns to catch
and support herself
with her arms.
CAUTION: The child must be able to raise and turn her head before she can raise her body.
Disabled village Children