As your baby reaches toddler age, it can seem like there are a million and one changes all happening at once. And in a way, you are right! Toddlers change and develop so much at this age, and what they learn can be fundamental to their development as they get older.
While it is important to teach your toddlers many things at this age, it is also important to remember to learn while still having fun. Now more than ever, there are many ways to encourage learning through play and how to help your toddler develop their skills in a way that works for them.
Trikes
Trikes and ride-on toys are a great way to help you get out and about with your toddler and help them to work on their balance. Keeping themselves sat upright to propel the trike forward can help them work on their balance and coordination. This is also a great way to bolster independence and confidence as they master this skill before moving on to bicycles.
Blocks
A staple in any child toybox. But blocks are more than just lumps of plastic children play with. There are many different benefits to adding blocks to your child’s playtime, and they include helping with the following skills;
- Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
- Creativity
- Shape sorting and identification
- Counting
Climbing Frames
Outdoor equipment is a great way for your child to develop their skills. Whether you can purchase your own equipment or go to a local park, allowing your toddler to climb and explore different levels in a safe environment can help them build their confidence and their muscles. Plus, playing outside in fresh air is a great way to boost their health and immune system.
Picture Books
Picture books for toddlers may seem simple, but the bright colors, repetition, and rhyming nature of these books can help to promote literacy. The actual story or words aren’t always as important as the pictures and helping your child associate the images in the books with words or rhymes.
The importance of picture books allows for the foundation for a love of learning and reading.
Art
Art supplies such as crayons, stickers, paint, and so on are great ways for your toddler to express themselves and explore different mediums and have fun at the same time. They can learn how to hold pencils and crayons and develop their dexterity and fine motor skills along with having fun.
They can also learn about how different materials work together, the impact of their actions, and what happens when they make different pictures. Childproof scissors, chalks, water, different textured paper, and so on are all great ways to help your child develop their skills without knowing they are learning.
Musical Items
Be it actual instruments or toys that make music. Music helps your toddler discover more sounds and develop their language skills and follow a beat and create music of their own. It can also impact their social and development skills, overall wellbeing, emotional development, and more.