Obstacle reaching challenge
6–12 monthsSuccess MindsetMaterials: Favorite toy, soft obstacle (pillow, stuffed animal, or soft block)
Place a favorite toy just out of your child's reach and put a soft obstacle in the way, like a small pillow or stuffed animal. Encourage your child to figure out how to move the obstacle or go around it to reach the toy. Stay close and watch their problem-solving process. This activity works well during tummy time or sitting play. Let them work on the challenge for a minute or two before helping if needed.
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How to Do This Activity
Place a favorite toy just out of your child's reach and put a soft obstacle in the way, like a small pillow or stuffed animal. Encourage your child to figure out how to move the obstacle or go around it to reach the toy. Stay close and watch their problem-solving process. This activity works well during tummy time or sitting play. Let them work on the challenge for a minute or two before helping if needed.
Why It Works
Problem-solving activities challenge children to think through steps and develop early reasoning skills. The cognitive effort of figuring out how to overcome an obstacle builds attention control and working memory, which are foundational to later academic achievement. Pre-kindergarten working memory and attention control predict growth in emergent literacy and numeracy and make unique contributions to kindergarten reading and math achievement (Welsh et al., 2010). These early cognitive competencies are components of intelligence that influence lifelong learning and academic success.
Tips for Parents
Start with a very small obstacle so the task is not too frustrating. Success builds confidence and motivation.
Give your child time to figure it out before you help. Problem-solving takes practice and patience.
Materials Needed
Favorite toy, soft obstacle (pillow, stuffed animal, or soft block)
Learning Methods
Sensory ExplorationResponsive InteractionMovement-Based Learning
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