Play develops language, thinking and self-control in children. Kids enjoy playtime, especially when done in the company of an adult. You can help your child learn through simple activities at home. Practice counting and words through sensory bins, picture cards or singing.
Involve your child when sorting out laundry, measuring cooking ingredients or walking around the home. Guided games help your kids learn numbers and letters. Plan and strategize for each session to offer the best guidance. Shorter sessions are more productive. Your kids will easily learn movement, social skills and have fun.
How strategic play results in learning
Studies show that infant toddler activities help with emotional and cognitive development. Children who play more develop multiple physical and social skills. They learn to explore things, imagine and solve problems. Toddler development activities require an adult to offer guidance. You can help them count steps, name objects or comment on progress. Strategic play results in learning because it combines fun with goals. It strengthens creativity, cooperation, decision-making and natural exploration.
Parents should understand their child’s learning patterns before preparing their lessons. They should seek to plan simple learning activities for 2 year olds or games that fit their child’s age. You can shop for toys and other supplies online and wait for shipping to your door. While accessing Amazon, the cybersecurity blog suggests using safety measures given the prevalent e-commerce frauds these days. Some simple steps go a long way in ensuring long-term online security. Learn how to hide orders on Amazon and keep strong passwords (preferably 2FA) to avoid identity theft and tracking by cybercriminals. You can also hide orders to prevent your partner or bigger kids from viewing them and spoiling your surprises. You can teach these simple ideas to your kids as well.
Practical at-home toddler development activities
There are many learning activities for 2 year olds you can try at home and achieve amazing results. Understand your child’s interests and the types of games that fit his age. Prioritize child safety in every activity and train your child to understand why it matters. Here are infant toddler activities you can try at home.
Play while building blocks
You don’t have to use an actual block to engage your child in this learning play. You can collect plastic cups or things like small empty boxes. Allow your kid to stack as many as he can and knock down the tower at will. You may help him build the stack together or take turns. This game helps your child understand how to balance. They learn simple words like “lower”, “higher” and “strong.”
Engage in exploration games
Exploration games help children improve memory, confidence and problem-solving. Use simple tools to create a fun environment for this game. Here is an example of simple items you can gather at home:
● A box that you can close and cut a hole in the middle.
● Small objects like spoons, rocks or wood. Make sure they are safe for the child.
● Soft and coarse items to help the child differentiate textures.
● Jars that you may add rice, water, beans or beads. Your child can guess what each item is.
Motor toddler development activities
Motor toddler development activities help your child develop muscle movement and coordination. These games activate movement in the legs, arms and torso. They may include play like peeling and placing stickers, jumping or throwing. Add games like walking or running if the child can do it. Indoor activities may include crawling under tables or dancing to music. These games improve eye coordination and focus.
Simple math games
Simple math games help your child understand shapes, colors and sizes. They learn to count and identify items like fruits, stones and buttons. Whenever you give your child snacks or cuddies, let them count before consuming. Arrange beads according to colors and sizes. Let your child sort out stones according to shapes or spoons according to categories.
Reading and book play
Help your child develop reading skills by reading picture books. Help identify pictures like trees, animals and buildings. Buy simple song books and sing along with your child. Incorporate games like clapping, body movement and singing. Read sounds and wait for the child to respond. This helps him develop language and motor skills at an early age.
How parents can learn and adapt to their child’s learning style
Your child is unique from another family’s child or their siblings. Observe your child sooner to understand the things that interest them. Children develop fast and priorities may suddenly change. Learn to adjust and allow flexibility to encourage your kid to learn. Understand his personality and levels that may affect his interest in play. Here are ways to help you learn and adapt to your child’s learning style:
● Be observant – Observe small things like what triggers anger or excitement in your child. Understand what makes him attentive and active.
● Practice patience – Children’s development takes time and patient parents reap the benefits sooner.
● Allow children to play in a group – Allow your neighbor’s children to join your child and play. Let him play with siblings if you have other younger children.
● Know his favorite games – The kid may love specific games and hate others. Repeat those he loves multiple times.
● Prioritize safety – Safety should be your priority all the time.
● Train in the local language – Training your child in the local language helps them learn fast. This is the language they will keep hearing other children and adults speak.
Best practices for educative play at home
Patience and discipline help you adopt your child’s learning pace and steadily walk with them. However, several guiding principles will help you create the best learning environment at home. Never get tired of repeating the same thing hundreds of times. It could be boring to you but productive to your child.
Avoid complicating learning to play at home. Choose the simplest games and use items you can collect at home. Buying costly toys doesn’t speed up learning. Create a learning play routine until your time adopts it. Prepare several daily sessions and keep them short. Each session should run for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Make the challenge tougher every day by adding an extra piece at a time. For example, add an extra question, item, object size or steps. Understand the things that interest the child and incorporate them into learning play.
Tips for parents with children under caregivers and nannies
Statistics show that play encourages early reading and math skills. Children who consistently participate in learning play develop stronger cognitive and emotional skills. Parents should be ready to participate in playtime learning activities with their kids. Work or other engagements might not allow them to actively participate. In such a scenario, they should offer guidance to the people they entrust with child care.
Your caregiver or nanny might not know the exact thing your child needs unless you tell them. These people might spend more time with your children than yourself. They play an important role in their development and learning. Provide written guidelines instead of oral.
Create a detailed plan and describe daily activities that promote play and learning. Identify specific items to be used during play. Guide them concerning expected outcomes and ways to monitor progress. Encourage the caregiver or nanny to train your child in the local language.
Be ready to learn from them and adjust in areas they may suggest. Your child is young and does not require formal teaching. They require informal learning, love and patience. Offer emotional support in situations where the caregiver may feel overwhelmed by the tasks.
Playtime is important in helping children learn and develop their brains. This time should not be turned into formal learning. Your child’s brain is not yet developed to handle this type of education. Plan activities that make children happy and value every moment. Understand the things that interest them and integrate them into their play. Allow your children to make choices but be available to guide them. Play and learning strengthen social, thinking and motor skills in children.
