A 3-5-year-old is now becoming more socially and physically aware, their brain development shows a child’s increasing ability to understand his or her environment. They start to enjoy showing off their new number and alphabet skills, which can be encouraged with the right activities and puzzles. The right toys and activities can help the growth and development of important skills for success later in life. 

Fine motor skills involve the use of the smaller muscle of the hands, such as when doing up buttons, opening lunch boxes or using pencils or scissors. Fine motor skills are essential for performing everyday skills, self-care tasks and are a foundation for academic success. Fine motor skills can be built through; Threading and lacing activities, board and card games, puzzles, play-dough, and construction play just to name a few. 

Gross motor skills involve actions that require the whole body to move and engage the large (core stabilising) muscles of the body to perform everyday functions. It also includes eye-hand coordination skills such as ball skills (throwing, catching and kicking).

School readiness skills involve preparing a child for an easy and successful transition into school. While many people think of academics (e.g. writing their name, counting to 10, knowing the colours) as the important school readiness skill, it can also refer to a broader range of abilities. This also includes self-care (independent toileting and opening lunch boxes), attention and concentration, physical skills (e.g. having the endurance to sit upright for an entire school day), emotional regulation, language skills, play, and social skills. Students that begin school with the foundational skills in place advance quickly, as opposed to those that start school only to then begin the slow process of developing school readiness.

See below our vast range of products to aid in the development of these important skills.