Baby's Spatial Intelligence

Child May Be Good at:

 • Seeing pictures in her head

• Catching a ball before it hits the ground (anticipates movement in space)

• Looking at a picture and copying the shape with his body

• Drawing in accurate perspective

• Drawing what they see

• Finding her way easily

How to Encourage:

 • Provide paints, clay, crayons, etc. and make special area for drawing

• Walk in unfamiliar places and have child draw a map

• Teach pottery

• Encourage arts and crafts

From Birth to 6 Months

Babies like things that move and can follow things with their eyes. Newborns can see a distance of 8-12 inches. They know your face and smile. By 6 weeks they can see normal distances.

Put baby on his back on a blanket on the floor. Hold something bright about 12 inches over his head. Jiggle it to get his attention. Move it from side to side slowly to let him follow it with his eyes.

From 6 Months to 15 Months

Babies are beginning to notice the difference between shapes, size, and color.

Babies this age love to empty and fill things. Give your baby her own kitchen drawer. Fill a bottom drawer with plastic cups, bowls, spoons, and other safe things to play with.

From 15 Months to 2 Years

Toddlers can stack 3-6 blocks. They can learn to match things of the same color, shape or size. It is hard for toddlers to turn their wrists to put puzzle pieces together.

Trace well-known things -- blocks, silverware, toys, etc. on big paper. Put the things in a box. Ask your child to pick something from the box. Help your child match it with its picture. Screwing on jar lids will help your child practice wrist turning. Try a plastic jar with a lid about 2 inches wide.

At 2 Years

Your two year old can stack blocks higher because she has better control of her hands. She can do more with her hands now. She can match things of the same color, shape or size. Simple puzzles and shape sorters are good now.

Cut simple shapes out of clean foam meat trays to make puzzles. Start with just one shape. Make a harder puzzle by cutting a small, medium and large shape. Then try cutting out different shapes.

At 3 Years

Three year olds are ready for all kinds of art activities. Finger painting, painting with brushes, coloring, gluing, playing with clay and cutting all help children learn.

Children learn best by experimenting. Do not tell them what to make or ask them to copy your work.They should enjoy the activity, not worry about how their project looks. Keep lots of paper, markers and crayons out for free expression.

At 4 Years

Four year olds really use their imaginations when building with blocks. Playing with blocks will help your child learn about shape, size, number, balance, and same and different.

Divide blocks so that you and your child have the same number and shapes. Take turns building and copying each others designs. Talk about what is the same and different about two blocks, i.e., the triangle block has three sides and the square block has four.

At 5 Years

Five year olds start to want their art work to "look like something." The people they draw usually have bodies with arms and legs. Not just arms and legs coming out of a body.

Children do not need to be taught how to draw. Do not correct their drawings in any way. At the library, pick children's books with beautiful pictures. Read the illustrator's name. See if you can find more books with the same illustrator.When reading your child a new book, first ask her to look at the picture on the cover and guess what the story is going to be about. Talk about her ideas after you finish the book.