Child brain development in early years i.e. from conceiving to eight years, is a very complex phenomenon. It involves lots of neurons (brain cells) continuously making connections and at the same time building on child’s brain and cognition. The complexity of the child’s brain mostly depends on the experience and exposure provided by caregivers and parents. Hence it is really important to provide a learning environment that exposes child to brain development activities which will then lead to holistic development of the child.
Rescue the Ball Activity
Rescue the ball works like a wonder activity for brain development. It is a very easy activity in terms of preparation as it only requires some plastic balls and scotch tape. This activity can also be modified by using baby’s toys or daily life household objects such as spoons, remote control, etc.
Simply tape the balls on the floor or wall where child can reach easily. Invite the child to this area. Let the child explore it and rescue the balls while taking out the tape. Parents/ caregivers may also demonstrate this first if there is a need. Keep cheering for the child and praising him/ her when done.
Conscious efforts and informed practices during each activity will enhance its purpose for brain development and holistic development of child.
Please follow these guidelines during the activity for child’s brain development and holistic development:
Language Development:
Language is a very crucial component of child’s brain development. During the activity, keep talking to your child (except for the instances of focus and concentration). Talk about if the child wants to rescue the red ball or yellow ball, near one or far one, top one or bottom one, easy to rescue one or challenging one. These vocabularies that you use in context greatly serve as the points for child’s brain development.
Physical Development:
Physical development is highly regarded with child’s brain development. Eye, hand coordination and mind feet coordination are all different ways through which child voluntarily learns to control his body. During activity preparation, keep some balls with easy to rescue taping or may be just leave the ends visible for child to quickly pull out the tape. Child will use different techniques to rescue different balls. You can keep balls at different heights and lengths to ensure that child move towards them as and when needed.
Socio-emotional Development
Parents and caregivers are the child’s safe place where they feel secure and contended. This is the time when brain development is at peak and most of the learning takes place. During this activity child might need to try multiple times to rescue one ball. This becomes the best time to inculcate resilience (not giving up). Keep cheering the child, you can give remarks like, ‘I am so proud of you for making efforts’, ‘You did a commendable job’, ‘If you can’t rescue this time, you can rescue it some other time of the day’, ‘winning and loosing are part of game’.
Every activity that we perform with the child should include conscious efforts for child’s brain development and holistic development. Activity for the sake of activity will spoil its essence. Other interesting brain development activities with babies can be
