Manipulative Imitation Drills and Targets
Manipulative imitation
drills teach the child to manipulate construction materials initially via
imitation, and then they teach the child to build novel structures
independently. Ultimately, the child learns to build a structure as a common
goal in a peer-play situation, modifying his or her own building techniques and
ideas via observational learning.
Once your child learns to use a few different materials, manipulative play may be expanded and incorporated into other forms of play. For example, the child may build an entire scene using multiple materials such as a city built with blocks and Duplos. Figurines and embellishments may then be added (other manipulative structures and vehicles, cars, people, animals, trees, and signs) so that the entire creation can be used for further toy and figurine play.
Wooden Blocks
1. Imitate block structures 3-D (up to 10 pieces)
2. Imitate block structures 2-D pictures (up to 10 pieces)
Legos--Imitate
Duplo sized Lego structures
Tinker Toys--imitate
tinker toy structures
Lincoln Logs--imitate
Lincoln log structures
Build Wooden Block Structures--start with a picture of the structure and then fade
the visual prompt.
1. Simple bridge
2. Bed with round pillow
3. Bed with square pillow
4. Chair
5. Desk with chair
6. Desk with chair and lamp
7. Sofa
8. Dresser with TV and lamp
9. House with steeple and tree
10. House with yellow blocks
11. Tree
12. Car
13. Sailboat
14. Complex bridge
15. House with window and chimney
16. House with window
17. Swimming pool with slide and tree
18. Tower
Test for generalization of above structures. Give child
different blocks to build from and ask for the same structures to see if he can
generalize.
Ask for spontaneous structures--see what child will build
without prompting--examples:
1. steamroller
2. castle
3. table
4. barn
5. stairs
6. high dive
7. 18 wheeler
Use different manipulatives and generalize building
different things.