Building Skills Through Play: How Kodo Materials Support Whole-Child Development

In early childhood classrooms, play isn’t a break from learning, it is learning. From visual tracking and fine motor development to social-emotional growth and early literacy, our tools engage children in experiences that align with their natural curiosity and individual developmental pathways.

When children engage with our materials, they’re doing more than stacking, pouring, or poking, they’re building competencies that support lifelong success. We partnered with a pediatric occupational therapist to help us outline how. Skill development includes:

Fine Motor Skills & Functional Independence

Materials like the Rainbow Pegboard, Light Lab Marble Board, and Toddler Ball Stacker encourage lateral pinch, three-finger grip, and hand-eye coordination. These skills are essential for tasks like writing, self-feeding, dressing, and even brushing teeth.

Spatial Awareness & Motor Planning

Tools such as the Wind Tunnel and the Weaving Wall help foster understanding of directional concepts like in/out, over/under, and left/right. These spatial relationships are foundational for everything from navigating environments to understanding math.

Early Literacy Foundations

Pre-writing and visual literacy are woven throughout Kodo experiences. Children engage in top-to-bottom, left-to-right eye tracking while exploring tools like the Weaving Wall and Magnet Wall. These subtle movements are the building blocks of reading and writing.

Cognitive Development

Materials like Gemstone Matching Tiles and Rainbow Pegboard build working memory, pattern recognition, and visual discrimination. These are key cognitive skills that help children make sense of the world and solve problems creatively.

Social-Emotional Growth

Empathy begins with connection. With materials like Empathy Dolls and Finger Puppets, children explore emotions, relationships, and storytelling—strengthening social skills in the process.

Equitable Play for Every Ability

Our approach ensures that every child, regardless of ability or background, can fully participate in meaningful play. Each material supports a variety of entry points and skill levels, giving educators the flexibility to meet children where they are developmentally, and take them further. 

Ready to bring intentional skill-building into your classroom?

Explore our curated collection of materials designed to support whole-child development through play. If you need support, contact the team.