B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

W
H A T
’
S
B
E I N G
L
E A R N E D
Children are attending to the visual and auditory feedback that they cause
by shaking the box. They learn that they have control over the changing of
the patterns.
They also get the opportunity to visually explore small items without
the danger of swallowing them.
Magnet Hunt
I often bring magnets around to the children I work with, and one of two
things happens. Either they play with the magnets as if they were no differ-
ent than blocks, or their eyes widen in surprise when the magnets magi-
cally and powerfully adhere to each other.
64
Attention Games
07_736546 ch02.qxp 5/26/06 11:50 AM Page 64

---

This game encourages that “Ah-ha” moment when children experience
the wonder and magic of magnets.
T
Y P E S O F
A
T T E N T I O N
E
N C O U R A G E D
Open and focused
M
A T E R I A L S
One or more magnets—any kind, any shape, but the stronger the 
better. (Refrigerator magnets can sometimes be too weak to 
stick well.)
D
I R E C T I O N S
Give your child a magnet and then go around the house with your young
one as if you’re going on a hunt (“Let’s scout around and see if we can find
things that your magnet will stick to”). Go outside and see what happens
to the magnet on outside things, such as the drainpipe and the side of the
house.
V
A R I A T I O N S
⽧ Give your child two magnets and let him
experiment with the repelling and attracting
properties of the magnetic poles.
⽧ Get a group of magnets and a cookie
sheet and let your youngster experi-
ment with making different designs.
You could do traditional designs,
such as a face with eyes, nose, mouth,
ears, and hair, or some abstract
designs.
⽧ Place one magnet on the
top of a piece of cardboard
and show your child how to make
it move by moving a magnet directly under-
neath it on the underside of the cardboard.