If you haven’t read the post, “The one office supply your kids need”, be sure to read that first so you can get the most out of this incredible “toy” and have this post make sense.
The CLIPBOARD!
In my previous post, I shared what kind I like and why. I also gave you The top 5 ways to use a clipboard.
As promised, in this quick read, or as I like to call them “bite-sized” info for parents, I will give you the insider scoop on WHAT skills your child is acquiring when using a clipboard.
Before we get to the benefits of a clipboard, I need to let you in on a little teacher lingo…FINE MOTOR SKILLS. This refers to anything related to your child’s fingers and hands. Your kids need MANY opportunities to develop the muscles and strength in their hands and fingers. Until those muscles have the memory to manipulate with ease and fluidity, they will need more practice.
NOW, let’s talk about the FINE MOTOR SKILLS that are being developed when using a clipboard:
✔ Learning to open and close the clip is tricky. But excellent for strength & coordination.
✔Manipulating the paper under the clip while keeping it open with the other hand is again working the hand and also coordination.
✔Holding a crayon, marker, or pencil takes dexterity and practice. “Fisting” is a common first stage of development.
✔If you tie a crayon to the clipboard, learning how to manipulate that is another great skill as they figure out how to maneuver the crayon around to be able to use it.
A few other skills you want to know about…
✔ Having a clipboard that is their “own” allows them to appropriately take care of their needs, which is an excellent way to foster their social-emotional development.
✔Using a clipboard appropriately with your children can be great for their cognitive development. Here’s an example…When your child is given a clipboard with a book and/or a story map (which you can learn more about by clicking here), you are providing them the opportunity to engage and attend positively to learning. Any time your little ones can build their “stamina” or attention to an activity consider that a HUGE WIN!
✔Depending on what your little one has clipped to the clipboard, most likely will have a “whole lotta” skills that are being developed. A quick example….a piece of white paper with a crayon can emphasize literacy (letter) skills, number skills, and cognitive skills by showing curiosity and inventiveness in their thinking via drawing or writing, writing their name, or even writing to convey meaning. Even if they are the only ones that can “read” it.
And there ya have it….the power of an inexpensive office supply!
