Bhakti D
Toddlers, from the age 1 to 3 are not easy to manage. Every now and then, they want new activities. As per my observation in case of my 2 years old son he gets easily bored with his toys. I think babies and toddlers are more comfortable with their household things than costly toys. They enjoy playing with kitchen cutleries like plate, bowl, spoon and glass than expensive toys. Every day they do different experiment with the things available in the house like they enjoy playing with raw rice, peanuts, flour, and soapy foam.
So, instead of refraining them from creating a mess, let’s make it a fun activity that will not only provide entertainment but will also enhance their learning skills.
1. Playing with raw rice, beans and flour :Toddlers love to create mess with the raw rice, beans or peanuts and flour. Give him raw rice, empty plastic jar and spoon. Ask him to fill the jar with rice by using spoon. Give him beans or peanuts and empty plastic jar ask him to count and fill up the jar. Or give him flour and observe what he does with it. Let your child explore it.
Skills developed Fine motor skill
2. Soapy foam : This activity is so simple and yet so engaging for toddlers. You do in your regular basis while bathing. But spending more time as a fun activity would make your little one happier. Do it on the weekend when both parents are available at home. You need body wash gel, lufa, little water and make foam out of it. Your little one would definitely enjoy it and will get busy for another half an hour.
Skills developed – fine and gross motor movements
3. Playdough :As I earlier said kids love to play with eatables and uncooked food. Playing with dough can be an equally fun and rewarding activity. Play doughes are easily available in the market but making it at home is very simple and easy. Make small balls out of the kneaded dough by using flour, warm water, tbsp of oil, pinch of salt and different colors like green, blue, red, yellow. Prefer natural colors. Apply little oil, so it will not stick permanently on the objects and will shine also.
Skills developed : color identification, fine motor skills, imagination
4. Scooping ice out of the water : Playing with water is the favorite activity of all kids. Water is the only thing they will not get bored with. Use normal water and bunch of ice cubes. You can also try different colored ice. Put together ice cubes and water, kids try to grab and hold the ice. At times ice will fall in the bucket and he might not be able to hold it. But, this exercise will make him understand and help him to find a way or solution for it.
Skills developed motor development, eye-hand coordination and judgment
5. Music and dance : Play a music CD or music channel. Dance freely with your kid, hold his hands and show him easy steps. He will surely follow you. Your toddler will get endless enjoyment out of music and dance.
Skills developed – listening skill
7. Shopping activity : Shopping at home!! What an idea!! Yes, make your room a grocery shop with thick transparent plastic bags, and pack all grocery items like… Flour, sugar, beans, rice and lentils or any item as per your choice. Arrange these packed bags in a rack. Give them shopping bags and ask them to buy some items. You can also teach them etiquettes while playing by asking them to say thank you after finishing the shopping. I do this activity quite often; my kid rides his tricycle and puts all shopping stuff in the carrier. He feels and enjoys it as a real-time experience.
Skills developed imagination skill
9. Let’s rock : Drumming is energetic and fun activity. It is the best activity for hyper active toddlers. Instead of running here and there let’s teach your toddler to play drums. My little one discovered this activity on his own; initially he used to bang the spoon on plastic tin and got surprised after hearing the booming sounds.
Sit on the floor with your toddler. Place a drum in front of your kid and teach them how to play it. Primarily use empty containers and spoon. When your tot turns 2 or 3 get them proper drums.
Skills developed : understanding the cause and effect, rhythm
So this time when you plan to spend some time with your kids, don’t just let them do anything, give them some INFOTAINMENT that will help in building their character!
