Catching fish

A number of paper ‘fish’, ‘fishing rods’ made from pencils or sticks and a length of thread, and ‘hooks’ consisting of short lengths of ‘Sellotape’-these are all you need for this ‘fishing competition’.

Draw some fish shapes about six inches long on coloured magazine pages. Try to get realistic shapes-goldfish, mackerel, plaice. Your child can cut them out.

You will find that the ‘Sellotape’ will readily pick up the fish at a touch. The ‘pond’ can be a circle of newspaper, or of plastic if you want it to look like water. The winner is obviously the one who catches the most fish.

By three or four years of age, the average child is emotionally able to take the tension of competition with others without developing the tantrums of earlier years. He or she is developing socially and is learning to accept failure as well as to enjoy group play.