Coat Pocket Treasure Hunt

What you need

• their small coat, with a small toy tucked in one pocket

How to do it

1. While they are looking away, tuck a small toy into one of their coat pockets.
2. Ask "What's in your pocket?" and let them find it.
3. Hide it again, sometimes in the other pocket, and keep going until they lose interest.

Why it matters

Getting a hand into a pocket and back out with something in it takes real hand control, and searching for the toy keeps their mind on the game.

What they're learning

Hand control

Pushing a hand into a pocket and closing it around a toy works the small hand muscles.

Object permanence

Knowing the toy is in there even though they can't see it.

Focus & persistence

Trying both pockets until the toy turns up.

What to look for

Watch for them checking the same pocket first every time, then trying the other one when it is empty.

A tip

Use a toy that is too big to fit through a toilet roll tube. It works best when it lives in your bag for days like this.

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