Toddler Learning Activities

Toddler Learning Activities

Many free toddler learning activities are available on the internet, through schools and children’s learning centers, so you’ll probably never run out of ideas to keep your child both busy and learning at the same time. If your child loves puppies and other furry creatures, you might try an animal game where you show your child either pictures of animals or stuffed animals. Make the sound each animal makes when you present the animal’s likeness. Then, have your child repeat the name of the animal and the sound it makes. It’s ok if they don’t get the sound right away; they’re still learning how to use their vocal chords properly. You can gradually increase your child’s range of animals as he or she grows.

Among other fun activities for toddlers is one that will help children develop hand and eye coordination. You can cut out pictures of animals, people, food, or other items, then punch holes in them. After you punch holes and number each hole to show your child where to start, give string, yarn or shoe laces that your child can loop through the pictures, tracing the outline of the image. Once he or she has finished, if the picture was taken from a coloring book, your child can color the image, as well. You can then use the results of this toddler learning activity as Christmas tree ornaments or home decorations.

Toddler Learning Games

Among other fun activities for toddler are toddler learning games that you can play with your child or with a group of children. The matching colors and shapes game teaches children to identify colors or shapes and can be done either by your child placing a small shape on top of the matching larger shape, or by placing a colored object or shape on top of the matching-colored one. For additional reinforcement of colors, there are many toddler learning games, but some of the most creative ones can come simply from the things at hand. For instance, as you go through the house each day, show your child different items of different colors and have him or her identify the color either by speaking the word (for older toddlers) or by placing an available object of the same color on or near it. Later on, you can expand this game and teach your child the name of each object as well as the color.

5/23/2007 2:35:12 PM