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The second level introduces a straight vertical dowel with very large rings. Similar to level 1, there is a high margin of error when putting the rings on, which helps to slowly refine hand movements.
Primary Goals
- Develop fine motor skills.
- Develop hand-eye coordination.
- Develop hand, wrist, and finger control.
Secondary Goals
- Develop concentration and problem-solving skills.
Approximate age
10 months
Materials
The first option is to purchase a dedicated toy with a vertical dowel and rings. However, an option I prefer is to use the vertical dowel from a future level, such as level 4b: cubes on the vertical dowel, and only buy unfinished wooden rings. As a bonus, these rings can be hung from a ribbon and used earlier as a grabbing toy.
Presentation
- Place 2-3 rings in a small basket next to the stand with the vertical dowel. These should both be on a tray for an easy transition.
- Bring the tray to your child’s work area.
- Wait until your child is looking.
- Using the pincer grasp, take a ring out of the basket.
- Slowly put the ring on the dowel.
- Repeat by putting on the remaining rings.
- Pause
- Remove a ring by pulling it off the stand and putting it back in the basket.
- Repeat until all rings are removed.
- Once the child shows interest, allow them to take over and move aside.
- Help the child put everything away when they are done.
Easier variations
Sometimes, stacking even a single ring may be too difficult. An easier first step is removing the rings. You could present the stand with rings already on and let your child remove them and place them back in the basket. Another alternative is to have your child hand you the rings and put them on instead. Finally, you can tilt the base towards your child’s hand and hold it steady for them to simplify things.
Extensions
You can add language on top of this by saying “on” and “off” as the child adds and removes the rings, or by counting the number of rings they use.
