FM.D.44 PUTS A CIRCLE IN THE FORM BOARD (NO CHOICE)

Here is another kind of putting skill – that of pushing a flat shape into a hole. Later this skill will be used in doing jigsaw puzzles.

Puzzles are taught in Sequence FM.H (Problem Solving and Puzzles) – really, this and other early puzzles skills belong to both the Puzzle and the Putting sequences. But we find it best to teach this very first puzzle skill here and now, among the putting skills,

Once your child has mastered this skill, you can continue with Sequence FM.D and start teaching the puzzle skills in FM.H.

We discuss in detail the problem of finding suitable beginner puzzles in Sequence FM.H. For this particular item there is a fairly simple way around this problem. It is not absolutely necessary that your board has a base, so ask your handyperson to cut a round hole in a piece of particle board, and make a round shape that is fractionally smaller. Sand the edges and paint if you want to. You will work with the board flat on the table, so it doesn’t matter that the shape can fall through when the board is lifted.

How to Assess

Materials: A formboard (puzzle) with circles about 6 to 8 cm in diameter. If you are using a formboard with other shapes as well, keep those pieces in. Your child should not have to choose which hole to put the piece in.

Method: Place the board on a table-top, and demonstrate pushing the shape into the hole. Give the shape to your child and say ‘Put’.

Score plus if your child pushes the circle right into the hole at least 3 times. If the fit is very tight you can help your child to push it down into the hole, but he must position it himself

How to Teach

As well as the materials described above it is helpful to have some smaller circle shapes that fit into the hole very easily. Try using lids.

Help your child to push the shape in, using the small shapes first if you have any. Once it is in, tell him it’s in, and help him to jiggle the shape against the sides of the hole so that he can feel, as well as see, what ‘in’ means. Withdraw your help gradually as your child gets the idea.

Some children feel they have finished the task if the circle goes just part of the way in. Prompt him, verbally if possible, to keep trying. Respond enthusiastically when it goes all the way in – he must sense the difference in your response to a complete and incomplete attempt.

Playtime and Round-the-house Activities

Let your child put the plug in at bath-time. Some cookie trays and egg poachers have round holes, and you can use lids or plugs or drink coasters. A set of coasters and a box with holes in the lid makes a good toy – encourage your child to slide rather than to post them in.

Remembering and Extending

When your child has mastered this skill, you can move on to the puzzle-solving skills in Sequence FM.H, beginning with FM.H.56, as well as continuing with the putting skills in this sequence.