Play is one of the main ways in which children learn. Because it’s fun, children often become very absorbed in what they are doing, In turn, this helps them develop the ability to concentrate. Whilst playing children learn can learn nouns (the names of things), verbs (what objects do or action words) and how to describe.
Providing children with a range of activities will help them learn in a number of ways:
- Sand and water play can be an early introduction to science and maths, eg learning that water is fluid, not solid, and that it can be measured in different sized containers.
- Playing with dough, drawing and painting pictures, dressing up, playing with dolls can encourage creativity, imagination and expression of feelings.
- Building blocks, jigsaws and shape sorters can help with recognising different shapes and sizes, putting things in order.
- Playing ball games, dancing, running, climbing all help to develop body movement, strength, flexibility and co-ordination skills.
- Games with orders help with turn taking, sharing and mixing with others.
- Singing, playing simple music instruments help to develop rhythm, listening and hearing.
It’s important that learning is fun at this age. It needs to be about doing things with them that they like. They might find unusual ways of doing things for a toddler, building blocks aren’t just for making towers, and paint can be used without a brush!
Show them how things work, but if they want to experiment, let them.
Click here to see a helpful information sheet.
Click here to see useful tips to encourage language development when playing with your child.
