Emptying a container is a vital step for your toddler's fine motor skills development. The thought process involved allows them to realise that a bucket can hold sand or water and that the load can also be emptied out. The fascination they have for this fact allows and encourages them to repeatedly empty out the same container repeatedly. Eventually they learn to fill containers and will spend long periods transferring items from container to container. This of course can be messy or annoying for you, especially when a toddler starts playing with food instead of eating it.
You can try to redirect their attention to emptying and filling containers that you specially provide them with. Give your child a smallish box with toys, blocks or balls and let them take the items out and put them back. Very often they will be reluctant to clean up after themselves, but try to make the act of putting the toys or items back into a game. By packing and unpacking things, your child will develop motor skills and make them think and reason about the cause and effect of their actions.
You can help your child develop finer coordination and shape recognition skills by giving them objects that need sorting or containers with slots.
You can try to redirect their attention to emptying and filling containers that you specially provide them with. Give your child a smallish box with toys, blocks or balls and let them take the items out and put them back. Very often they will be reluctant to clean up after themselves, but try to make the act of putting the toys or items back into a game. By packing and unpacking things, your child will develop motor skills and make them think and reason about the cause and effect of their actions.
You can help your child develop finer coordination and shape recognition skills by giving them objects that need sorting or containers with slots.
