When raising and teaching toddlers, we have a lot of power over their language development. It is never too early to start thinking about supporting language skills. If you need a language activity for toddlers, check out these play-based, nurturing ideas. Importance of Toddler Language Development Language development in the early years can impact a…
Tearing paper may seem destructive, but a consciously created tearing paper activity is actually perfect for toddlers. Tearing paper has many developmental benefits. Toddlers seeking out the “wrong” things to tear need an appropriate way to practice skills. I’m sharing 25 learning activities focused on tearing paper in this blog post. Benefits of tearing paper Tearing…
I’m sharing 12 fun play dough activity ideas that your toddler will adore. These activities are open-ended, so toddlers can play and explore as long as they want. Do you have a toddler who seeks out creative and sensory play? Play dough is the perfect way for them to explore their creativity. It helps with…
While some caregivers don’t mind messy, sensory play. Others prefer mess-free, low-prep activities. I see you all, so I’m sharing indoor and outdoor activities that include no-mess and low-mess activities for 2-year-olds. For the parents and educators wondering “how to do I entertain a two-year-old,” I am sharing dozens of sensory-rich, play-based learning activities. These activities will keep your…
Parents and educators often wonder how to play with an 8-month-old baby. This blog post will answer the question. I am sharing 18 play-based activities for 8-month-old babies. Let’s check out activities to target each learning domain and stimulate each of the seven senses. These activities engage babies in imaginative and sensory-rich learning experiences that…
From water games to sensory activities, there are so many ways to extend the fun of the kiddie pool! This blog post will share 15 different kiddie pool activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The kiddie pool is a summertime staple. The perfect hot day activity to stay cool. If you’ve ever wondered, “how can…
For babies, almost everything is sensory play. That’s because, at this stage of play development, they constantly learn about their bodies and environment through the senses. Small changes to tummy time or an extra few minutes at a meal can turn into sensory play. You don’t need to spend too much time planning or setting up sensory…
Two different “stages of play” theories are commonly discussed in child development. For parents and educators, understanding the theory behind stages of play helps identify what a child is learning. Caregivers can create better learning environments to support a child’s development. Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development includes four stages of play: functional play, constructive play,…
Adding loose parts materials like blocks, natural objects, and household can make any space into an exciting place for young children to explore their creativity naturally. My loose parts material list to help children engage in interactive learning. When play spaces are reduced to just a few pieces of equipment, children aren’t able to explore…
Toddlers learn best by exploring and experimenting. Sensory activities stimulate the senses and help toddlers learn about the world. Look for ideas to capture your 18-month-old’s interest and spark curiosity. These sensory learning ideas are great for at home or in a toddler classroom! Indoor Sensory Learning Activities Felt Boards Create a felt board by…