The Domino Effect
Children are encouraged to count and pattern the dominoes using cards to guide them. They are also encouraged to experiment to see how the falling dominoes affect other dominoes, so this gets into physical science as well. Fine motor skills also come into play as the children carefully stand the dominoes up. In addition, this can be a kind child activity as the children are encouraged to partner up and take turns and learn valuable skills such as persistence and patience along the way!
Age-appropriate Adaptations:
- Two-year-olds—Have your child count the dots on the dominoes 1-10, stack the dominoes, or stand three or four dominoes up in a row and watch the domino effect when one is knocked down into the others. If you’re playing with colored dominoes have your child match the different colors.
- Three-year-olds—Have your child count the dots on the dominoes 1-20, they can line the dominoes up and observe the domino effect as one is knocked into the other. They can match like numbers of dots and colors.
- Four-/Five-year-olds—Have your child create the ultimate domino effect by using all of the dominoes. Have them color coordinate their pattern and match like numbers as they put together the course. After they have completed it have them knock it down and count how long it takes to fall.
Skills Supported: fine motor skills, math and manipulative, color recognition, physical science watching cause and effect, kind child and working together.