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21 month old can't do the shape sorter

5 replies

Thebeautyparlour · 18/09/2012 18:13

He just has no interest in and doesn't get the mechanics of the shape sorter - he shoves a couple of bits through randomly but that's it. It's all pure chance. Nor is he interested in puzzles, though he loves a board with cut outs where different automobiles get placed - but I think he's memorised where those go

Is this a milestone thingie that I should be concerned about? Does it say anything or will he just get it and get interested (or not) as time goes on?

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Nottigermum · 18/09/2012 18:58

I don't think it's a milestone as such. Some kids like them. Would he like just blocks to build towers? DS has been tested many times for developmental milestones and they always ask 'can he do a tower with x number of blocks' etc. also, stacking cups are really good for practicing to put smaller objects into a larger object. Some children love to play with stacking cups.

Thebeautyparlour · 18/09/2012 19:36

bump

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Thebeautyparlour · 18/09/2012 19:37

At nursery he apparently builds towers...he loves putting things in other things...

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littlebluechair · 18/09/2012 20:00

Hi, I think just not doing a shape sorter in isolation is not cause for concern. he may not see the point of it or he may be more interested in other things.

My own DS, about whom I have no concerns, did not even engage with puzzles until after two. He has strengths and weaknesses and he also has things he is more and less interested in.

The shape sorter is (I think) testing cognitive (working it out) skills and fine motor/object manipulation skills. Are there other things your child does that display the same skills? I would suggest putting things inside each other demonstrates cognitive - for example, does your child try over and over to put a large ball into a small cup, or does he quickly work out what size thing will fit in what container? That means he is working stuff out.

If your son is able to select the right piece of the automobile cut out, get it right way up, in the right place, then I would say that is the fine motor/object manipulation, even if he has memorised it. If he had motor issues he wouldn't get the piece moved easily into position.

I am not an expert in any way but I was an overanxious mother who had a child with poor health, we were told he might have delay and I watched very intently.

At the end of the day, you know your child best - does what I say above seem ok or are you mre generally concerned? If you are more generally worried, then have a chat with nursery in more detail?

Sorry if I have gone on a bit Blush

Thebeautyparlour · 18/09/2012 20:10

Hi Litttlebluechair

You didn't go on, that's a thoughtful reply.

He has hypermobile hands, so there's a possibility he finds it hard to 'push' the objects in...they are quite stiff. With regards to the flat puzzle thing - I would say more and more he gets the right piece in the right way, not 100% but enough. He does work out what size goes into what. He'll put things in a container, take them out, put them in - as if he's 'working it out.'

The nursery is very new, so I wouldn't they'll offer an opinion yet.

I think I'll just keep an eye.

I hope your DC has worked through his delay and you are feeling less anxious

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