busy board toddler
Busy Boards for toddlers: A new frontier for learning and fun!
busy board toddler Busy boards! If you haven’t heard of them or come across other parents talking about them, it’s time you do. busy board toddler These busy boards are not just some modern adaptation of the ancient concept of learning about objects during playtime, they are like any other product developed through years of deep exploratory research into the motor skills of a child. busy board toddler However, what is a busy board? And why do so many parents consider them as an absolute necessity for their child? Understanding their benefits to being able to make one at home – we’ll look to answer all these questions.
What is a busy board?
Busy boards as the name suggest are designed to keep toddlers busy with exploring textures and shapes through play. busy board toddler Be it handmade or purchased, these boards can have a dimension of creativity as they can include zippers, buttons, toggles and even mirrors.
The main objective however of busy boards to help babies in their intricate developing stages of life and then some much needed cognitive growth that will aid them in the later stages of their life.
So it is safe to say that in simple words; busy boards are like an upgrade to learning – no batteries needed!
Advantages of Busy Boards for Children
As it turns out, busy boards are not only entertaining but also serve as wonderful educational aids that are also important developmental tools, as children would benefit from a busy board as stated below:
1. Brain Growth
Busy boards provide a better understanding of reasoning in young children such as why certain things must be done in a specific way. busy board toddler Is a switch pulled to switch the light on, or is the bolt slid open instead? Those who ask these questions revolve around critical and problem solving concepts.
2. Small Muscle Coordination
The position of each activity increases muscle tone and fine motor control by encouraging the child to perform specific activities, like fastening a buckle, turning a doorknob or even a gear. busy board toddler A busy board literally provides workout for fingers of toddlers!
3. Active Senses
Due to various textural modifications, sounds, and colors, a busy board is more visually appealing than other toys. It actively provides your young one with some form of stimulation and in extension invigorates their curiosity.
4. Free Time
Three cheers for some quiet time! Busy boards assist children to pursue their independence while keeping their engagements intact as it allows toddlers to be explorers while concentrating on the task at hand.
5. Montessori Attachment
Focused on creative play, busy boards fit in well with many Montessori’s educational philosophies. (Spoiler alert: we are about to discuss this soon!)
Is it any surprise that busy boards are a parent’s best kept secret?
How to Build a Busy Board
It might seem hectic to construct a busy board but do not worry, you do not have to be a DIY master for that, listen to us. busy board toddler In this article, we bring you effective steps to build a board that your child would be excited to use.
Step 1: Supervision in Construction
Safety should be the utmost prior concern! Make sure each individual piece you are going to add is securely positioned, has no sharp points or any small objects that can be swallowed, and if there are any chances that choking may arise from those objects, then precaution is necessary. busy board toddler In case there are wooden slats, use sand paper to make the rough spots smooth.
Step 2: Decide on the Base Board
Consider using a wooden board, preferably plywood, that can easily be fixed to a wall. busy board toddler Please confirm that the size of the base board would complement the child’s reach and space appropriately.
Step 3: Opt for Entertaining And Functional Materials
Below are some noteworthy activity elements that may form part of your board:
Buckle on zippers, clasps and button fasteners
Light patterns out of switches and keys (non working use only!)
Sprockets and rotating gadgets
Strips made from Velcro
Reflective surfaces and jingles
Fabric pieces of multiple texture variations
Step 4: Prepare Your Tools
You will need bolts, adhesives and a little bit of effort. A cordless screwdriver or a power drill will assist you in holding things in place on the board.
Step 5: Personalize It
Use the board’s paint to infuse colors or even your child’s name on it if you so wish. busy board toddler Want to turn it up a notch? Create themes like “Underwater World” or “Manhattan” according to the preferences of your special one.
Pro tip: It is easy to locate old materials like a lock, door knob, or even a key at the thrift shops meant to stick to your board as works of art.
Step 6: Test It Out
It is time to be cautious and hand the board over to your kid once you have tested the board for safety and working functionalities. Now, sit back and watch the magic happen.
Integrating Montessori Methods within the Busy Boards
There is a strong connection between busy boards and montessori education. busy board toddler Explore, learn and be independent is montessori’s approach and that is how a busy board is built as well!
Most notable ideas would be to include these aspects and it should be montessori friendly:
Practical Life Skills: Incorporate shoe lace tying, nut and bolt screwing, as well as buckle fastening.
Natural Materials: Wood and cotton over plastic to go hand in hand with the Montessori way of life.
Minimalist Design: Do not origin the board with too many items. busy board toddler A well spaced board allows users to focus more and increase their curiosity for exploration.
Promote Choice: Allow your toddler to pick what elements they want and what they want to interact with as well.
When making these small adjustments to your activity board, the method not only becomes fun for the kids but also educational for the children as well.
Creative Busy Board Themes for Inspiration
Don’t be shy, be a little creative. Here is a list of design themes other parents are loving and you can start off with:
1. Adventure Board
For all the campers out there, this one’s for you. Include a miniature compass, car keys and a map to excite your children.
2. Animal Kingdom Board Cartoon graphics of a corresponding animal and decorative buttons of patch fur can stimulate an animal safari.
3. Rainbow Exploration Board Add switches, zippers, and knobs using proper placement in a rainbow configuration. busy board toddler Great additional feature to work on is neon lights.
4. Industrial Engineer Board Use gears, pulleys, and bolts and anything that seems mechanical because this is ideal for the active learner.
If I did not mention in the previous statement, I love pinteres t! so if you do not want to visit pinteres t boards for busy board You can easily search for colorful designs in other pinteros t or use a collage creator app and design your favorite ones!
Caring For your Busy Board’s maintenance if you do not clean your active board, your child will miss out on all the fun it provides. busy board toddler Here are some of the maintenance tips you should follow to keep the board in good shape.
1. Regular cleaning
Use a wet sponge to clean the centre part of the board because it is the area which is most used by your toddler.
2. Inspect for damage
Screws and worn off parts need to be replaced when using the board for a long period of time.
3. Upgrade over time
You can include some suitable tying shoelaces for your toddler. busy board toddler Make sure to add appropriate activities that are suitable for your child as they grow older.
With so few steps and some simple maintenance, your busy board is guaranteed to be fun and full of learning for your child for many years.
Introduce Game Elements to Your Learning Approach for Your Toddler
While many perceive busy boards as simple playthings, their true potential can be unlocked as learning and development tools. busy board toddler They help expand the child’s imagination, foster self-reliance, and more importantly, have fun! Little hands and big imaginations are always busy when they own one, or when one has been purchased.
Aspiring to empower the young ones with more engaging tools? It is the perfect time to use those creative skills into making something unique and special such as a busy board for children. busy board toddler Or if you have already made a board, we shall be glad to see it – make sure to post a photo in the comments section or tag us on social media, and culinary journeys do the rest!
Good luck with the board projects, and hopefully children will enjoy themselves throughout the expansive period of construction and learning. 🛠️
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Montessori Busy Boards for Your Children: Create and Grow Their Intererests Ready to Learn Again
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Trixy Widgets presents, Montessori Busy Boards for children! Read about the advantages, how to build one, and incorporate joy in the children’s self sufficient learning assistant. Read more
