Matching Socks Game
_"Present the child
with a clean basket of separated pairs of socks. Provide the child with
additional empty baskets, one for each member of the family.
Show the child one sock and ask him to find the other sock that looks the same (i.e. the matching sock). Fold the socks together (or have your child fold them to work on additional skills such as motor planning and eye-hand coordination) and ask the child to put the pair of socks in the right basket, based on whose socks are they (mom's, dad's, child's, sister's, etc.)."
This activity was found at www.otplan.com. When first using this activity you could start off with different colored socks. When the child masters this you could grade the activity by using some different colored socks and some same colored socks.
Show the child one sock and ask him to find the other sock that looks the same (i.e. the matching sock). Fold the socks together (or have your child fold them to work on additional skills such as motor planning and eye-hand coordination) and ask the child to put the pair of socks in the right basket, based on whose socks are they (mom's, dad's, child's, sister's, etc.)."
This activity was found at www.otplan.com. When first using this activity you could start off with different colored socks. When the child masters this you could grade the activity by using some different colored socks and some same colored socks.
Balance the Beans
"Place a container full of beans on one end of the room or the area you work in and an empty container on the other end. Use the tape to mark a straight line between the two containers. Have the child hold the spoon in one hand (preferably the child's preferred hand) and ask the child to scoop a spoonful of beans. Instruct the child to walk on the line that you've marked and transfer the beans on his spoon from one side to the other side, placing the beans in the empty container. Repeat the activity until the empty container is filled with beans."
This is a great activity (found at www.otplan.com) for a child with Down Syndrome to do because works on balance, motor planning and eye-hand coordination which are common areas that show a need for growth. Once the child is able to do this activity, it could be graded by making a 90 degree angle with two pieces of tape so that the child has to make a turn when walking to the other container.
This is a great activity (found at www.otplan.com) for a child with Down Syndrome to do because works on balance, motor planning and eye-hand coordination which are common areas that show a need for growth. Once the child is able to do this activity, it could be graded by making a 90 degree angle with two pieces of tape so that the child has to make a turn when walking to the other container.
Add To The List
Start off by saying a word. Then have the child say your word, and then add their own word. Continue this game by taking turns and adding parts until you can't remember the words anymore. This is a great fun game for a child who needs improvement on auditory memory skills. The auditory memory skills are an important part of learning in and out of the classroom. It can be graded by turning the words into small sentences, which you both remember and add onto.
Puzzles
Puzzles are a great activity for anyone to do. They come in small, medium and jumbo sizes. Puzzles work on problem solving skills, for example a child would have to figure out which direction a specific piece fits into another. They also work on fine motor skills. If the child is new to puzzles, start off with the jumbo size puzzles. The activity can be graded by using the small piece puzzles.
Memory Game
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The memory game is a fun activity that you and your child can do together. It is a great tool that works on visual memory and short term memory. On each turn, a player turns over two cards (one at a time) and keeps them if they match numbers. If they successfully match a pair of numbers, that player also gets to take another turn. When a player turns over two cards that do not match numbers, those cards are turned face down again and it becomes the next player’s turn. The game is played until all the cards are matched. The player with the most pairs is the winner.
To grade this activity, use different sized and colored shapes. Have the child match the shape and the color to make a pair.
The memory game is a fun activity that you and your child can do together. It is a great tool that works on visual memory and short term memory. On each turn, a player turns over two cards (one at a time) and keeps them if they match numbers. If they successfully match a pair of numbers, that player also gets to take another turn. When a player turns over two cards that do not match numbers, those cards are turned face down again and it becomes the next player’s turn. The game is played until all the cards are matched. The player with the most pairs is the winner.
To grade this activity, use different sized and colored shapes. Have the child match the shape and the color to make a pair.