Check out these tips for making traveling with toddlers a little easier.
Everyday Ways to Support Your Toddler's Learning and Development
Author:
Anitza Guadarrama-Tiernan
As your toddler begins to walk and learns new words, she will want to practice all of these things over and over again. Toddlers love repetition and this is how they learn and master new things. Toddlers have lots of energy, are very curious about everything and it can be a challenge trying to keep them busy. Below are a few activities you can try with your toddler that will support his development and maybe even help burn off some of that excess energy!
everyday activities for you and your toddler:
- Encourage fine motor development. Provide your toddler with fat crayons or non-toxic, washable markers, and let him scribble on paper. This will get him interested in and give him practice drawing, coloring, and writing.
- Spend time outside. Your toddler will want to run and climb, and the outdoors is a great place for her to do this. Help her climb and play on an age appropriate playground structure. You can also engage your child outdoors by playing with a ball, or introducing her to a bicycle or riding toy that is safe and appropriate for her age and size.
- Use rhythm and rhyme. A great way to stimulate your toddler's language development is with rhythmic rhymes. Sit with him on your knees facing you and recite simple rhymes. Don't worry, if you don't know any, you can make them up as you go along! You can also listen to music and hold his hands and dance.
- Toys and games. At this age, there are many things your toddler can play with. She will like blocks and toys that can be stacked. She may also like push, pull, and riding toys, such as a miniature stroller or cars and trains. You can also engage her with simple puzzles. She may also like to ‘help’ you with what you are doing; for example, if you are cooking, give her some pots and pans to play with.
- Read to your child. Reading to your child is one of the best gifts you can give him. Pick simple sturdy books with bright pictures and let him help turn the pages while you read the words on each page. Wordless books are also great at this age, and you can make up your own story.
