What is vertical surface play?
Vertical surface play involves engaging with activities on a vertical surface, such as a wall, whiteboard or fridge.
It has many developmental benefits for all children, and it’s never too early to introduce it to your baby or child!
It can help to improve:
- Gross motor control
- Fine motor skills
- Core strength and muscles
- Posture
- Hand-eye coordination
- Spatial awareness
- Attention skills
- Language development
Top tips:
- Drawing and colouring: attach a piece of paper to the wall, or use a chalkboard/easel – encourage your child to go big with their drawing
- Magnets: your child can use the fridge to play with magnets such as pictures, numbers, letters etc and move them all around – commenting on what your child, or you, are doing will also help with their language development
- Stickers: your child could attach stickers to a mirror or window, and this way they get to see their own reflection too which is always fun
- Suction toys: while sitting supervised in the bath, your child can play with suction toys on the bathroom tiles
- Floor play: sit with your child on the floor and encourage them to reach up (stretching their belly) for a toy you are holding up
- Weaving: by using a wicker basket or bean stalk frame, and providing some ribbons and pegs, your child can explore the colours and patterns they create by weaving
