Rolling 4 Fun

Product Description

Cognitive 3

Skills

• Guessing/estimating (pre-math skills) are encouraged as children decide how many blows it may take to get to send the ball around the track.
• Cause and effect relationships are established each time a child blows the ball. The strength of the blow effects the ball.
• Concentration is enhanced as children focus on task at hand to maneuver the Rolling 4 Fun base and the ball.

Play Ideas

• Caregiver can teach the child how to blow by having them mimic actions. Introduction to the game for practice before would be helpful to some kids.
• Play with bubbles to begin learning the concept of blowing. This can help reinforce the oral movement skills in a highly motivating way. 
• Add a start and finish line to the Rolling 4 Fun base so that kids can persevere to get all the way around the circle during play. 

Communicative 4

Skills

• Blowing the ball along the track can help train and strengthen oral muscles that are used to speak.
• Each explosive breath, also trains respiratory function and lip strength, all while children play.
• Appropriate game etiquette is learned as children utilize patience to wait their turn, share the game and learn appropriate reactions to winning and losing.
• Children practice receptive language skills (input) as they are given directions verbally and nonverbally during play as they are encouraged to keep trying. 

Play Ideas

• Identify a number for the child to target during play. This can help a child problem solve and determine technique to accomplish the goal.
• Have children discuss how many blows it will take to get to a certain number.
• Make different vowel sounds when blowing the ball around the rim. For example, the “o” vowel sound will create big breaths as kids move the ball around the track. 

Physical 3

Skills

• Holding and manipulating the toy encourages fine motor skill development such as two-handed play and wrist rotation.
• Flicking the ball along the course promotes fine motor skills and finger strength required for effective pincer and tripod grips.
• The upright play required by many of the tracks engages core strengthening and a sense of balance as many muscle groups are used in coordinated movement.

Play Ideas

• Kids can use teamwork to play together! One person can manipulate the base while another is blowing the ball around the track.
• Try out different types of balls during play like a bouncy ball or plastic egg to see how they can be blown around the track or flicked across the rim.
• Place the Rolling 4 Fun base at different heights during play. Try and place it on the ground or on the counter top.
• Kids can amp the Rolling 4 Fun challenge up a notch by balancing on different items during play like a balance beam or couch pillow.