How many times did we see (or hear) about children getting in trouble for writing/drawing on the wall? Yes. We do all the time...if it wasn't actually us getting the kids in trouble for doing that.
If we take one moment to look from the child's perspective, the wall looks like a big empty paper, it is in fact tempting!
After doing lots and lots of research and testing, it turns out that working on a vertical space has its developmental benefits for the young ones.
What is a Vertical Space?
A vertical space is a surface where the children work while they're standing. This is such as a wall, a black/white board, a smart board, a window, an easel...etc.
Why a vertical space?
A tip: As you can see in the pictures, the vertical working space is framed. Framing is important here because it helps in focusing the attention within the meant working space only. Make sure to frame it for the young ones.
If we take one moment to look from the child's perspective, the wall looks like a big empty paper, it is in fact tempting!
After doing lots and lots of research and testing, it turns out that working on a vertical space has its developmental benefits for the young ones.
What is a Vertical Space?
A vertical space is a surface where the children work while they're standing. This is such as a wall, a black/white board, a smart board, a window, an easel...etc.
- We're talking about fine motor skills...on a larger scale: When working a vertical surface, children use more muscles, and bigger arm movements, and this encourages the strength and flexibility between their joints and muscles of their upper body.
- Eye-hand coordination: Vertical surfaces allow the children to focus their attention on what they're creating using the correct hand movements and postures.
- Attention: When working on a vertical surface, the task is brought a lot closer to the children's eyes than it is on a horizontal surface (i.e a table/desk). This helps children who have attention difficulties to maintain better visual attention and coordination.
- Correct grasp through arm extension: Working on a vertical space automatically stretches the arm of the child working. This allows better control through stabilizing the hand, and strengthening the grasp of writing and drawing tools.
What are some vertical spaces activities?
- Draw/write on a chalkboard/whiteboard.
- Play with removable stickers on the wall or the window.
- Play with magnets on the fridge/magnetic board.
- Laminate a canson sheet for some writing/painting fun on the wall (see video).
- Help with washing the wall (or the car).
- Paint on an easel using finger paint.
- Trace a stencil on a sheet of paper on the wall, then finger paint it.
A tip: As you can see in the pictures, the vertical working space is framed. Framing is important here because it helps in focusing the attention within the meant working space only. Make sure to frame it for the young ones.
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