MY new found ATTRACTION to all things MAGNETIC

Because I get to PLAY for work – I find I get on kicks. For a while I was obsessed with BLOCK PLAY (and that has stuck with me as a forever love), but lately it has been MAGNETS.

Magnets are so much more fun than I remember them being as a child and I have been having a great time watching children’s faces as they play for the first time with magnets – the shock – the awe – the curiosity seems to grow the more they play. So I thought I’d use this post to share some MAGNET PLAY ideas with you.

It started with these. I was in search of the big red horse shoe magnet but couldn’t find anywhere locally so I ordered this super powered one from Amazon.com

photo copy 9

 

And for fun, I threw in some of these…but they ended up being smaller than what I wanted (and so great for own kids but not my “work kids.”)photo copy 8

And for fun, I threw in an old favorite…magnetic stones..these are also VERY strong and were purchased at a toy store in a velvet little bag.

photo copy 11

From there — the Magnet Obsession grew and we had fun discovering a few things!

1) IT IS VERY FUN TO WATCH MAGNETS MOVE THINGS THAT ARE INSIDE OF OTHER THINGS!

2.) MAGNETS ALLOW US TO BE CREATIVE!

 

Watch this idea for a Magnetic Lego Car

 

3.) MAGNETS HELP US PLAY WITH THINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS!

4) MAGNETS HELP US LEARN ABOUT SCIENCE!

5) MAGNETS HELP US IN INTERESTING WAYS!

One of my little buddies has mild Cerebral Palsy and trouble using one hand. Typically small items are hard for him to grip. The magnet stones, however both provide him some strengthening (through resistance experienced when pulling them apart) and assistance (through the same attraction) that helps him hold and play with them longer than other small toys — end result – he was less frustrated, had more fun, and was excited to engage in purposeful PLAY that hopefully carries over to his long term function with his hands!

Watch this example of Play with Magnets

Whether you are a therapist, childcare provider, parent, grandparent, or anyone else who PLAYS with kids, I hope you’ve found this post ATTRACTIVE and that the ideas will be MAGNETIC for your creativity  during play and inspire you to share the science (and fun) of MAGNETS with a child today!  What are ways you use MAGNETS to PLAY?

For more ideas on PURPOSEFUL PLAY paired with detailed milestones – check out 1-2-3 Just Play With Me today! And see why Early Head Start staff, childcare centers, therapists, and parents find it practical, useful, & FUN!

See Fun Science Kits to see some of the cool toys in this post!

** Always use caution with children who can not play with magnetic toys for medical reasons (such as those with shunts) and be present and engaged to avoid chocking with little ones!

 

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *