Montessori Materials Spotlight - Snap Dressing Frame

The Dressing Frame: Snaps is a Montessori activity that helps children improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The goal of this activity is for children to learn how to unsnap and snap the snaps on the fabric within the zipper frame. Children improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Benefits:

• Improves fine motor skills: Snapping and unsnapping the snaps requires precise movements and coordination, which helps children to develop their fine motor skills.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: By working through the steps of the exercise, children are able to build their problem-solving skills and learn how to work through a process.
• Develops hand-eye coordination: The act of snapping and unsnapping the snaps requires precise coordination between the eyes and hands, helping children to develop hand-eye coordination.
• Encourages independence: As children become more confident and skilled with the exercise, they will feel a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.

Materials:

• Zipper frame: This is the main component of the exercise and provides the structure for the fabric with snaps. Make sure to choose a zipper frame that is the appropriate size for your child.
• Child-sized table: You will need a table that is the appropriate height for your child to work on. This will help ensure that they are able to reach the snaps and complete the exercise with ease.

To begin:

• Set up the frame as you would with other exercises. Make sure the fabric with snaps is on the right.
• Explain to your child that you're going to show them how to snap and unsnap the snaps..

Unsnapping the snaps:

1. Place your left hand's index finger and middle finger on the right side of the snap.
2. Use your right hand's index finger and thumb to grab the fabric in front of the snap.
3. Pull upwards to unsnap the snap.
4. Pause so that your child can see the snap separating.
5. Repeat these steps until all snaps are unsnapped.
6. Open the flaps and trace the inside of the frame as shown in previous exercises.

Snapping the snaps:

1. Replace the flaps using the same procedure as in earlier exercises.
2. Use your left hand's index finger and middle finger to press down on the fabric to the left of the snap.
3. Grasp the snap with your right hand's index finger and thumb, with your index finger on top of the snap and your thumb underneath.
4. Push down with your right hand to close the snap, listening for the clicking sound.
5. Repeat these steps until all snaps are closed.

Points to note and take care:

• Be patient: Children will progress at their own pace, so it's important to be patient and provide plenty of positive reinforcement and praise along the way.
• Demonstrate slowly: Make sure to demonstrate each step slowly and clearly so that your child can easily follow along.
• Provide positive reinforcement: Regularly praise your child's efforts to boost their confidence and encourage them to continue practicing the exercise.
• Make it fun: Incorporate games or songs to make the exercise fun and interactive, and help keep your child engaged and interested.