Toddlers have a natural instinct to stay on the move. With this increased level of energy, it may seem as if your little cruiser is getting into everything. Keep in mind that this is actually a natural process of your child becoming more familiar with his world. Current recommendations from pediatricians suggest that toddlers not spend less than 30 minutes a day in structured activity. This can be overwhelming for care givers, but the benefits that the child gets from this interaction with adults sets the stage for learning throughout his lifetime.
Toddlers, Playing and Learning
You can become part of your child’s introduction into learning by participating in some of his play adventures. This is an age of increased motivation to do more, and your child can benefit by being gently challenged with play activities that introduce common concepts.
Letters Numbers
Finding activities to present the concepts of letters and numbers is way that care givers can start setting the foundation for reading preparation and understanding. Introduce these ideas slowly and in the form of play. For example, try these fun games for teaching letters and numbers:
- Point out each letter or number on a placemat while eating a meal.
- Put together ABC floor puzzles.
- Make up silly counting songs.
- Form 1,2,3s out of non-toxic clay.
DLTK Teach and Activities
DLTK is a learning website that offers a number of different activities that will introduce small children to new concepts. While toddlers may be too young to understand computer terminology and use, these activities can be printed from this free site and used to reinforce letters, numbers, colors, and shapes to young learners. Care givers are encouraged to participate in these activities with toddlers to further enhance the learning experience.
Coloring Shapes
Shapes coloring sheets are an inexpensive way to introduce the concepts of shapes and colors to your child. The main focus shouldn’t be on the neatness of the coloring. Using these printable color pages will encourage children to become acquainted with the number of different shape possibilities while engaging in hands-on coloring activities along with a care giver.
Try these ideas when reinforcing color and shape items:
- Build towers with blocks and point out the colors as each block is added.
- Use a shape sorter and point out the differences in each type.
- Have the child scribble with a few different crayons, talking about different items that are the same color.
- Toss a blue ball and say, “Blue.” Toss a red ball and say, “Red.” Repeat with as many options as possible.
Television does not promote adequate learning
Current recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that television programs not be watched by toddlers and babies. There have been no studies that support enhanced learning when children in those age groups were given lessons through television shows. This same idea holds true when considering shows that are identified as being educational programming. In addition, learning programs such as Baby Einstein and Your Baby can Read fall under this same recommendation.
Sources:
DLTK’s Growing Together: Educational Activities for Children (Accessed February 12, 2011)
Kids Health: Toddlers: Learning by Playing (Accessed February 12, 2011)
