Toddler development is a fascinating field. And as a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent or any other relative for that matter, it’s fascinating to see how children slowly develop and progress every day. Some things happen naturally in their own time whilst other things need a bit of adult assistance. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at five activities you can enjoy to help your toddler to develop.
1) Play outdoors
Outdoor play is a fantastic way to develop gross motor skill whilst also encouraging physical activity. It’s also a great way to get some fresh air and all important vitamin D. So whether you go to the local park or kick a ball about in the garden, try to incorporate outdoor play into your weekly routine. You can get creative and create your own little obstacle courses or you can use ready-made fixtures at the park, but try to encourage your child to climb, crawl, jump over things, push, pull and anything else you can think of. Of course, just make sure you are playing in a safe space and that the obstacles are age appropriate!
2) Dance to the music
Some studies suggest that music can aid brain development in young children, particularly the areas of the brain responsible for processing sound, language, speech and reading. And it’s also an activity you can do pretty much anywhere. So whether you live in a small apartment or a huge house, you can enjoy some music therapy with your toddler.
For maximum results, make sure you incorporate plenty of action songs where your child is encouraged to clap, wiggle toes, jump and so on. But of course, you can also include some of your own favourite songs to encourage some healthy physical activity in the form of dance.
3) Get creative with art
Whether it’s at official toddler art classes or at your kitchen table, getting creative with art is fantastic for your child’s emotional development. Creating art enables kids to process feelings and emotions and it also encourages creative thinking and experimentation. As an added plus, playing and experimenting with different textures and materials is fantastic for sensory development too.
4) Grow your own food
Growing your own food has countless benefits for you and your child. It’s a great way to get your child outdoors and playing with different textures. It’s also a wonderful way of getting your child excited about eating fruit and vegetables. And you could even save some money on groceries too!
5) Play with friends
Group play is undeniably a fantastic way to enhance and encourage the development of social skills. It encourages teamwork, teaches them how to share and encourages compassion and empathy. All of these skills will be vitally important as they grow up and start forming friendships and relationships. So whether it’s at home with siblings, in play dates with other kids, at preschool or at a toddler gymnastics class, encouraging your child to play with other children is one of the best things you can do for their development.
Conclusion
Your toddler is learning, developing and changing all the time and whilst there are some things they will learn to do regardless of human intervention, there are plenty of ways you can get involved and aid their development. When it comes to encouraging their social, emotional and physical development, don’t overcomplicate things. Spending some quality time with your child enjoying simple tasks like painting, running around outdoors and singing your favourite songs can do wonders for their development so it’s just a matter of incorporating these into your general routine and enjoying the quality time with your child.
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