Which Type of Activities Do Children Learn in The Toddler Program?
A toddler program entails various activities to keep a child highly engaged on different levels. Toddler programs help create consistency and capacity for learning and development for kids in their formative years. The activities challenge various aspects of a child, including mentally, physically, and emotionally.
​Why Are Toddler Programs Important?
Parents may have some reservations and attachment issues regarding their kids starting toddler programs. The good thing is that you can find educators and caregivers who have toddler programs that incorporate parents in the activities. Such programs can help strengthen the bond between you and your child. Aside from that, toddler programs are beneficial for the following reasons:
- They foster growth in different areas, including intellectual, social and creative development.
- Keeps toddlers healthily occupied – if you are a busy parent, you do not have to worry about your child being idle for long hours.
- Creates opportunities for healthy friendships – kids can begin forming bonds with other kids that are not necessarily part of the family.
- Creating a steady foundation – through toddler programs, you will appreciate the role of routines and schedules. They create a sense of stability for your child, making adaptation and discipline easy to incorporate into everyday life.
- Preparation for preschool transition – in a few months or years, your child should be joining the formal school. Toddler programs are a great chance to prepare for learning sessions in-depth.
- Encouraging exploration – toddlers are generally curious beings. Toddler programs give them room for expressing their curiosity in healthy ways. Different activities foster exploration to gratify the curiosity that is common among toddlers.
Common Activities for Toddlers in Early Learning Centers
Every early learning center has various activities to foster development and learning. Some popular toddler activities in learning centers include:
- Dressing up and role-playing
- Drawing and painting
- Music, singing, and dancing
- Water play – including swimming lessons.
- Sensory play – involves activities that stimulate different senses, including sight, touch, taste, and hearing.
- Scavenger hunts and treasure finding
​Educational Activities for Toddlers
Learning activities for toddlers are just as important as fun activities. It should not be about all play. Some educational activities for toddlers are:
- A building or stacking blocks – using jigsaws, shape sorters, to mention a few.
- Gardening activities – as part of nature play and science to familiarize them with their natural environment.
- Labeling and naming items
- Board games – involving letters and numbers to improve cognitive abilities.
- Matching colors and naming them accordingly
- Reading tasks and learning other languages.
- Picture and puzzle games
- Arts and crafts – including coloring, painting, drawing, and even DIY projects that foster their motor and hand-eye coordination skills.
- Organizing items – can be alphabetical, shape-wise, or based on color schemes.
​How Does the Toddler Program Help in Child Development?
​Toddlers need as many learning opportunities in their formative years to foster holistic development. The toddler programs we offer at MBS Kids Early Learning Academy will help foster development for your child in the following areas:
- Social intelligence – increasing capacity for social networking among children, with lessons on aspects like sharing, making friends, resolving conflicts, and teamwork.
- Emotional intelligence – involves helping children be a master of their emotions controlling their moods, especially around other people.
- Intellectual capacity – educational activities will significantly improve your child’s cognitive abilities. Better yet, programs at early learning centers in Houston can help prepare children for schooling.
- Boosting creativity – toddlers get exposure to various activities in a learning environment that increase their creativity by encouraging new hobbies and passions they can explore.
Summary
There is no need to be nervous about enrolling your toddler in a learning center near you. Since your child is not alone, you can rest assured that the center is a safe space for children to learn. Besides, it can be the perfect opportunity for you to meet other like-minded parents and create a healthy community to support your child’s developmental needs.