Your toddler has just turned one, and is after those first unstable steps, finally confident walking. If not done yet, we would advise to ensure your home is childproof.
Now that the toddler is walking the exploring expedition can start.
Within the first year of life the babies focus on convey their message and understanding the language. Therefore by the time of their first birthday they can say their first words as well as point at things.
The importance of the early education
The scientists have observed that the children whose parents consciously take care of their baby's/toddler's early education are healthier. Learning how to interact with others and starting to discover the first interests stays with them forever. Early education amongst others encourages also learning about social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills. Of quality early childhood education groundwork for upcoming education.
The main ideas of the "learn through play" is to approach everyday obstacles by seeking to develop problem solving abilities, coordination, social skills, imagination and control.
You can start with these first, very simple games. For example:
1. "Full" and "empty"
Learning about "full" and "empty". You can hand your toddler containers, cups or bottles while they play in a sandbox, during a bathtime or while helping you in the kitchen. Throughout time your little one will try to pour content into the cup, or the container. At the beginning they will spill. However gradually they will learn to control their movements.
2. First puzzles
Puzzles are ideal for developing fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination. Make sure you choose the age appropriate puzzles. Puzzles for older children may repel children from playing (consequence of frustration as they cannot complete the task). Also keep in mind the puzzle's motive. The game can be much more interesting if the chosen motive is of the toddler's interest.
3. Building blocks
Building blocks encourage development of ordering, organising, spatial thinking and logical reasoning. The first formations are simple and involve a handful number of the building blocks. Throughout the time more blocks are added. The result are more complex and dynamic creations.
4. First songs and rhymes
Sing simple songs. While repeating the songs and rhymes your toddler learns new words. With the time you let your toddler finish the songs by adding the last word. Growing vocabulary helps toddlers understand the world around them better. Additionally it is established that children with rich vocabulary tend to express themselves better and are as well deep thinkers.
5. Outside play
Outside world enables toddlers to walk, run, jump, swing and climb. Even though your toddler is still rather small, let them explore the outside world. Stay with them if they desire so. By being next to them they feel safer and are more confident exploring their surroundings. Ensure the challenges are age appropriate.
As your toddler approaches year 2 you can even further expand the list of learn through play activities.
1. Sandbox 2.0
Bring your time in the sandbox onto the next level. As toddlers grow they get amongst others also physically stronger. This encourages them to take on more complex tasks. By digging, sifting, pouring and scooping they lay the foundations of the scientific learning, develop self-confidence and coordination. As they grow they might explore the sandbox by sitting next to another toddler their age. At this level it becomes about teamwork, social skills and ability to share. Throughout the time they will build together and communicate about how the final outcome shall look like.
2. Painting and drawing
As toddlers grow they also start showing more interest in painting and drawing. This learn through play activity allows them to express themselves as well as start developing pre-writting skills. As a next step, once they have already good communication skills, you can take on a challenge of learning about colours and mixing as well as tidying up, once done.
3. Building blocks and puzzles 2.0
Upgrade the complexity of your activities with building blocks and puzzles. This learn through play activity never go out of fashion. With building blocks you can encourage your toddler to build more complex structures and also add figures from other games (e.g. wooden animals, Lego figures) to broaden the game's spectrum. The same goes for puzzles. By continuously adding new age appropriate puzzles to the collection, children keep further developing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
4. Imaginative play
With each month added to their age their imagination grows. The imaginative play encourages development of social, self-regulation, language and problem solving skills as well as intellectual reasoning. Moreover it also increases their self-esteem and sense of the world around them.This learn through play activity comes naturally to many children. Amongst others the imaginative play is a good way to manage boredom.
5. Nature play
Another learn through play activity you can upgrade are the outside activities. Playing games in the nature enables children to conquer first topics within the fields of biology, geography, environment. Toddlers can learn about animals and plants by seeing and touching (when possible and appropriate). They can also experience different ways how to protect and preserve the environment.
Have fun!
Disclaimer
Please note that we are not professionals within the field of (early)child education, nutrition or cosmetics. Indeed we are a group of parents who are interested in these topics. We would like to use this blog as a platform to share our positive experience and share some tips and tricks we have come across. That being said, the content is based purely on our own research and our own experiences.
Your LUMMY team
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