Skoolzy Blog

What is a Pincer Grip? A pincer grip (or grasp) is a developmental milestone that typically occurs at 9 to 12 months of age. Using the index finger and thumb, or the index finger and middle fingers opposing the thumb, the child is able to pick up small objects and place items in a controlled manner. Why is This Important? A pincer grasp enables the child to feed herself by being able to pick up small bits of food and place food into the mouth with ease. Before this, the child was only able to hold food within the palm after food was "raked" into the palm by the fingers. The pincer...

We've all heard it said "Don't play with your food!" Many of us have even said it to our own children. But the truth is, playing with food is actually a great opportunity for learning, as well as developing strong fine motor skills and pincer grasp. Cognitive Development According to a study of toddler's eating habits out of the University of Iowa, kids who throw, squish, poke, prod, or smash their food are actually learning while they play. The study suggests that messy eaters may be faster and better learners over the long run. Published in the journal Developmental Science, the...

  BENEFITS OF PLAYING WITH PUZZLES From childhood through adulthood we love to play with puzzles. We like the way they challenge our thinking and exercise our minds. Table puzzles are popular because they provide satisfaction, enjoyment, and an opportunity for children to focus on an activity that has an ending. Puzzles are also an important educational learning tool for toddlers and young children as they provide many skills, mental learning benefits, and opportunities. Children often start with puzzles of simple knobbed pieces of cardboard or foam to outlines of simple shapes that fit into corresponding board cutouts. Puzzles gain complexity...

    Beads, beads, beads! Most Occupational Therapists and Early Childhood Educators agree, after working with children of all ages, that beading promotes children's development in more ways than meets the eye! Not only do children love working with beads, but here are some other areas where beads help with development. Grasping: Various sizes of beads promote different kinds of grasps. Larger beads promote a grasp similar to holding a large primary pencil. Smaller beads encourage children to use their pincer grasp, strengthening the small muscles of their hands. In-hand manipulation skills: Many parts of making a beaded project increase strength and coordination...

Celebrate Mother's Day with a 14% discount on select Skoolzy products! The world awaits the coming of the month of May. Not just because it's a vacation month, but because it's also the month to enjoy a special celebration–recognizing and appreciating the efforts of the “cradle of the family”–Mom. Some kids call her Mom, Mommy, Ma, or Mama. Whatever you choose to call her, she is a very special person who does her best to take care of the little ones. It’s time to pay off and thank Mothers everywhere for their sacrifices with this special Snowflakes Flower Bouquet Create O Flakes is available online....