Today, we tried the fishing game that Kari had prepared.
The girls didn't know the game before but once we had explained the few rules to them, they were keen to start and give it a try.
To explain game rules, I recommend a pedagogic mnemonic called KISS - keep it short and simple. By combining very short and simple sentences with demonstration of movements you make it very easy for your toddler to follow your example and avoid frustration or a sense of pressure to succeed. After all, a game should be a fun activity for your kid.
However, the fishing game is also a playful way to train your child's fine motor skills and coordination. Both girls were very ambitious to get it right and catch the fish that their neighbor chose to be angled. They focused all their attention to this fish and tried to catch it with just the help of the fishing pole.
With just six fish, the game doesn't take more than 5 minutes which is just the right amount of time with regard to a tiny person's concentration span.
While playing, we sometimes had to remind them to stick to the rules. The younger one especially wanted to use her hands to pin the fish to the pole.
We had a lot of fun that afternoon. Just look at the smile on their faces when they managed to catch a fish.
If you wish to encourage your toddler's fine motor skill development and attention span but are not up for some crafting beforehand, I found the same game here. It looks just like the version I used to play with as a child together with my siblings. When we caught all the fish, we extended the game by pretending to cook it and eat it for lunch.