Learning begins with exposure to a variety of experiences. Sights and sounds are incorporated into fun activities and allow the toddler to make sense of their environment. According to KidsHealth.org it is important to “Provide opportunities for [children] to explore, ask questions, use his or her imagination, and practice fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks or coloring.”
Toddlers are constantly learning and developing. KidsHealth.org suggests that children should not be idle for more than an hour at a time. Finding activities to keep toddlers busy can be as easy as looking around the house or heading outdoors.
Strike up the Toddler Band
Save empty containers constructed out of a variety of materials like plastic, metal, and cardboard in different shapes and sizes. Add a few spoons or strikers (sticks, rulers, or paper product tubes) to complete your drum kit. Explore how each container sounds differently when struck with various items and how they sound if flipped over or held instead of left stationary on the ground.
According to the article "Artist at Work" by Kyle Pruett, music-related play and interaction use the brain pathways for memory, hearing, balance, motor control, emotion, and cognition. These are all important to toddler development.
Get Down to Earth
Grab a spoon or digging tool, small container, and a bucket or bag and get outside. Toddlers will find interesting treasures to pick up just wandering around. Collect twigs and talk about the shortest and longest, break them into pieces, drop them into a container and pour them out. Discuss where the twigs come from, who uses them to build homes. Pick weeds, grass, or leaves and examine their shape, color, texture, and smell.
Listen to the wind blow – literally. Model being still like a statue and very quiet and point out the sheesh and swoosh of the trees. Observe how tree limbs bend and dance to the breeze. Point out who lives in the trees – birds, squirrels, chip monks, and insects. Be careful not to disturb eggs that you may come across exploring nests. Try replicating the various pitches and tones that different inhabitants make. Distinguishing these sounds help toddlers build their concentration and listening skills.
Pouring Practice
Sandboxes, water tables, and containers of a variety of shapes and sizes are perfect for little hands to gain experience pouring. Fancy sand utensils are not necessary as spoons and empty condiment or coffee containers make great tools for pouring. White rice, beans, beads, or shaped dry pasta are good alternatives to sand and water. Remember to supervise tots closely with any small objects. Incorporate plastic animals, Legos or other objects that are different than the base. These objects can be sorted and examined in relation to the rice, water, or beans.
Toddlers require exposure to a variety of activities to develop. Finding ordinary items around the house or outside and transforming them into fun educational opportunities helps to shape the learning toddler.
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