How can I improve my child's hand-eye co-ordination

asks M Scott:

A. There are lots of ways - ball games, building bricks, cutting paper... Ball games are probably a good way to start as they are physical, and inactivity is a growing problem with young children.

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Q. What sort of ball games would be suitable
A. Anything your child is capable of. You can simply do some throwing and catching, or kicking a ball backwards and forwards. Young children won't want to concentrate on any single activity, so make it fun. The more you change the game, the more interesting it is for them. Start with throwing and bouncing the ball to each other, then kicking and rolling the ball backwards and forwards, then hitting it with a lightweight racquet, or chasing it in different directions...

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Q. What about racquet games
A. They are a great way to get children to run about in the open air, and are brilliant for improving movement and co-ordination. Choose a game with a lightweight plastic racquet that is small enough for your child to handle comfortably. Don't try to stick to any rules...

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Q. How long should I do it for
A. Fifteen to 20 minutes a day will soon make a difference.

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Q. What about other indoor activities
A. Jigsaws are fun for lots of children - don't choose anything too difficult, young children will play with the same puzzle over and over again. For younger children, tray puzzles are a good way to begin.

• Building bricks - especially wooden ones -� will be used for years as the structures become more complex. They are good for wrist and hand control and a valuable pre-maths skill.
• Lego (or Duplo for younger children) teaches physical manipulation and hand-to-eye skills.
• Make pom-poms - this needs concentration and fine hand-eye co-ordination and provides an end product to show off.
• Push toy cars along 'roads'. You can make your own roads or there are special playmats with town layouts printed on them.
• Snipping paper. Give your child strips of paper and child's scissors to snip them into little pieces.

Whatever you do, don't overwhelm your child with new toys and activities. Studies show that giving children too many toys, or toys of the wrong type, could actually be doing harm. You know what your child is capable of, so make sure the activity suits their abilities and - above all - is fun.

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By Sheena Miller

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