The game is one of the best tools to promote learning of the little ones, as well as to stimulate and enhance all kinds of cognitive abilities and skills. Through these leisure and fun activities we find a way not only to entertain children but also to stimulate their intellect and strengthen ties with them.
Furthermore, games as a means to stimulate cognitive abilities are one of the best resources in the case of children with some type of special physical or psychological condition, such as Down syndrome. In these little ones, it is very important to stimulate certain mental functions to encourage their use.
Throughout this article we will present a series of activities for children with Down syndrome
As we mentioned previously, play is essential at all stages of child development. The reason is that It is not only useful for entertaining the little ones and ensuring they have a good time but because they also favor the correct development of personality and cognitive skills.
Through play, all children learn to know themselves as well as everything around them, including other people. They acquire all kinds of knowledge about their body and how objects, instruments and utensils work.
As a general rule, children without any type of special health or psychological condition have the ability to learn to play on their own, although the fact of doing so with an adult reinforces the ability to interact with others as well as the bonds between them. However, this is not the case with children with Down syndrome.
In these cases the small They do not usually present their own initiative when starting the game, so the collaboration and support of another person is recommended. Due to the physical and psychological characteristics of this syndrome, the child may have certain difficulties learning to play.
As a consequence, the amount of time and effort invested to enhance the game is essential to promote all types of cognitive skills; from personal autonomy to language, attention and psychomotor abilities.
During the first months of life, It is advisable to start play routines without the need to use toys In this way, through the gestures, expressions and words of the adult we promote the development of the capacity for representation and symbolization.
Children with Down syndrome require special play dynamics that emphasize these gestures and oral language, so that through imitation they can learn to make appropriate gestures and movements. Finally, when games with objects and materials are introduced, the adult must guide the child to teach them how to use these tools correctly.
Recommended activities according to age
As with the rest of the children, each stage of the life of the child with Down syndrome It is characterized by the acquisition and development of a series of skills so it is recommended that the games be adapted to these periods of childhood.
1. Children between 1 and 2 years old
For younger children with Down syndrome, it is recommended to propose these games.
2. Children between 2 and 3 years old
In this category of boys and girls, the type of activities proposed are the following.
Activities according to the cognitive area
From the age of 3, children with Down syndrome usually already have the language and motor skills necessary to carry out a large number of activities with them. From this age onwards, it is advisable to carry out games that enhance each and every one of the cognitive abilities
Below we present a series of activities classified according to the cognitive area that they aim to stimulate in children with Down syndrome.
1. Stimulation of psychomotor skills
Games that promote the development of gross and fine motor skills help strengthen the muscles of the hands and limbs, which forms the basis of the development of their own autonomy.
1.1. Pass the ball through the hoop
The game consists of placing a series of balls and hoops of different sizes for the child to catch and basket each ball in the corresponding hoop We can also try to make the balls and hoops the same colors so that the child also has to guess which ball goes where.
1.2. Guess the shape
This exercise is very useful to enhance fine motor skills as well as memory and attention. To do this, we provide the child with a sheet with a series of dotted lines that you have to join by dotting with a stylus
The child must dot the outline of the drawing trying not to leave it. Next, we can ask the child in what form or object he is being trafficked.
2. Language stimulation
Like the ability to move autonomously, Strengthening the skills that enable language is essential in children with Down syndrome when it comes to gaining greater independence.
2.1. Theater and performance activities
With the aim of working on language fluency, memory and interaction with other people, we can stage small performances or theaters in which the child must recite small lines or phrases. We can also ask you to read fragments of texts aloud while gesturing.
These stories can show scenes from everyday life, as this will also facilitate the child’s ability to improvise.
Promote attention in children with Down syndrome It will favor their interaction with the environment and enhance other skills such as memory and language.
3.1. Storyteller
These are activities in which an adult reads or tells a story that is interesting or that the child likes. The objective is, then, to ask or ask her to tell us her version of the story in order to promote attention and the memory and information retrieval processes.
3.2. Match the cards face down
In this activity we will have a deck of cards whose drawings can be paired two by two. The cards are placed in front of the child face down and we ask him to match the cards.
The cards can only be picked up one at a time, so the child must remember where each of the drawings are located so you can match them
4. Stimulation of autonomy
Throughout the child’s life, a large number of situations will arise in which the fact of Enjoying great autonomy will allow you to be independent and be able to carry out all kinds of activities and interactions by himself.
4.1. We play shopping
Games and representations that involve simulating everyday life activities such as making any purchase will allow the child to learn how to interact in these situations, as well as give them autonomy when carrying out operations with coins and banknotes, and managing their own money.
To do this we can play shopping or markets, using bills and coins that the child can make himself or by using toys such as cash registers for children.
