This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Oh how joyous it would be to see life through a toddler’s eyes. All of the new experiences and adventures that lead to new learning each and every day. As parents, we can help foster learning in our toddlers through everyday activities. Make it engaging, exciting, and new and they will love it. Most importantly when helping your toddler to learn, always make it fun. Learning is so much more than sitting and completing an assignment. It is truly about the experience.
Math
- Count the stairs every time you climb. My kids can count to 14 like a charm!
- Play with your food!
- Count snack before eating. As they get older give them two piles to count and talk about which is more and which is less.
- Make Jello Jigglers and cut them out using Geometric Shapes Cutters
(affiliate). Talk about the name of the shapes and their attributes.
- Use your snack to trace letters or numbers.
(affiliate). Talk about the name of the shapes and their attributes.
Language Acquisition/Reading
- Just read!!! Read, read, read! Reading is the number one most beneficial activity you can do with your baby/toddler. It builds vocabulary, encourages creativity and imagination, and fosters a love of reading.
- Sing songs. This is a great way for your baby/toddler to be exposed to new vocabulary and learning.
- Make songs up to help your toddler to learn his/her name. I use the tune of B-I-N-G-O for that.
- Of course the ABCs are great!
- The Ants Go Marching is another favorite in our house.
- Find different letters around your everyday life. Boston is always looking for the different letters that make up his name. Look at signs, toys, books, basically anywhere you can find them.
- Talk to your baby/toddler. Talk all day long.
- For babies who do not communicate, narrate what you are doing and verbally label everything. For example, “Mommy is opening the refrigerator and taking your milky out.”
- Once they can communicate with you, encourage them to have a discussion with you. This could be as simple as asking an open ended question: What was your favorite activity at the park? Then let them answer, no matter how long it takes. Then reiterate what they said. “Oh you loved the slide. I loved the slide too.”
- Play with them. By interacting and showing them how to play and converse during play, children learn so much. They will begin to imitate your speech and play.
Fine Motor Skills
- Work on puzzles. They are amazing for fine motor and a problem solving skills. Make sure you have a variety of age appropriate puzzles to help your child feel successful.
- Color with your child. Practice holding the crayon with a “pencil pinch” and coloring with small strokes trying to stay in the lines.
- By 2.5 to 3 years old, your child will be ready to use scissors. Safety scissors are key!! Boston uses this Melissa & Doug
(affiliate) cutting book to help him cutting in the lines, which is a super hard task for any toddler.
- More playing with your food. Spread yogurt, whipped cream, or pudding on your table top and let your toddler draw or write letters or numbers. This activity is so fun! And delicious!
(affiliate) cutting book to help him cutting in the lines, which is a super hard task for any toddler.Mama’s Must Haves
Affiliates
⭐⭐I am certified with a K-12 Special Education teaching license, a preK-6 Regular Education teaching license, and a preK-12 Advanced Learners teaching certificate.
