This is a game where the child is shown a series of pictures in a predetermined sequence for a few seconds, then asked to arrange the pictures in the same sequence. Sometimes, there may be more pictures available for arranging than necessary so child can eliminate pictures that he has not seen.
How to make it yourself
Using a piece of paper, draw out squares for positioning the picture. Make 2 picture boards of the same - 1 for showing the child, 1 for letting the child arrange the pictures. Laminate it.
Make 2 copies of 3 different pictures (may add up to 6 pictures for older children) and laminate it.
Stick Velcro behind the pictures to fix it on the picture board.
What purpose does it serve?
By arranging the pictures in the same sequence, the child needs to use his Visual memory and Visual-Sequential memory to remember the arrangement. This is important to effect accurate recalling of details, which is useful in school when child needs to copy words from the board to his notebook.
Visual Spatial-relations skills will also be needed to understand the sequencing, and recognising left to right.
As some pictures may be very similar, Visual Discrimination, which is the ability to notice subtle differences, will be activated to differentiate different pictures in order to place them in the correct sequence.
The child also needs Visual-motor skills and fine-motor to pick up and arrange the pictures in the way that he sees it. He must also be able to tolerate the texture of the material used and the sound of the Velcro when he re-arrange a wrongly placed picture.
When the child is asked to see the arrangement, he is trained in his Visual Figure-ground, which is the ability to attend to one activity without being distracted by other surrounding activity.
When extra pictures are being used, the child needs to eliminate pictures that he has not seen, and only arrange the necessary pictures. Usually, the extra picture is of a different category, for example, basketball, football, tennis-ball and a horse. This will help the child recognise that the horse is of a different group/category from the balls.
Summary of developmental objectives
Visual-motor, Visual-memory, Visual discrimination, Visual figure-ground, Visual Spatial-relations, Visual-Sequential memory, Fine-motor, Logic, Tactile, Proprioceptive.
