Did you know that 90% of brain development occurs before age five? You don’t have to wait for your kid to reach kindergarten before encouraging them to learn. Of course, toddlers require more fun academic activities, so keep this in mind. You should prioritize options that would excitingly boost their mental capacity. Fortunately, incorporating play-based learning into their daily routine will enhance their problem-solving skills, language acquisition, and overall school readiness. That said, here are some fun learning activities for toddlers.
Leverage pretend-play games
Pretend-playing is crucial in developing a child’s imaginative and creative skills. You only need to dress up or dress your toddler as their favorite story character and act out a few plays at home, so keep this in mind. For example, if your child loves fairies and princesses, try dressing together as those characters, taking the opportunity to teach your child the values of such characters. Alternatively, you can also pretend-play professional roles. For example, wearing a white dress ‘turns’ your child into a doctor or a white hat to a chef. Again, use the opportunity to educate your child about those roles.
Start displaying their names
Your toddler should recognize some letters that make up their name at age two, even if they cannot spell it. And that’s a massive way to prepare them for reading. So if you have a toddler, start displaying their name throughout the home. And take every opportunity to point at those displays, mentioning your child’s full name simultaneously. Consider sticking this on your refrigerator, bathroom step stool, bedroom door, and other places your child spends most of their playtime.
Talk about numbers around you
From spelling to counting, your child should be able to recognize and mention simple numbers by the time they turn three years. And one fun way to help them do this is by talking about numbers around you. For example, your remote control has several numbers your toddler can have fun mentioning. Your calendar, car registration plate, and telephone are other options. You can also make it more interesting by counting anything around you, from the number of pillows on the bed to the number of toys your child owns. And speaking of toys, the next point is also important.
Play building and puzzle games
Games and toys are still some of the best ways for toddlers and preschoolers to learn and have fun. And two, in particular, stand out - puzzles and building blocks, thanks to their multifaceted benefits. These activities provide hours of entertainment while stimulating cognitive development. They also enable toddlers to develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and spatial awareness. Examples of such games include jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and Lego bricks. And speaking of Lego bricks, you can use a Lego price tracker to get some of the best deals on this toy. As your child manipulates and fits puzzle pieces together or constructs structures with blocks, they will develop critical thinking skills, identify patterns and improve hand-eye coordination.
I have two toddler nephews that I enjoy spending time with. They do like to play building and puzzle games.
ReplyDelete