Toddlers Playtime

[nature]

What age group are you referring to when talking about toddlers playtime? 12-18 months, 1-2 years or 2-3 years? I'm thinking of some general ideas for each age group right now such as music and movement, reading books, sensory bin explorations, ball pits, and bubble fun. What types of activities have you implemented in the past that your little ones really enjoyed?

 

[sunflower]

I've primarily worked with children aged 1-2 years. During this age group, I've found music and movement to be particularly effective - it really helped with their gross motor skills development. I also did a fair amount of storytelling through pictures and reading books together which they loved . When working within sensory play, I used tactile explorations like play dough and water tables which always seemed to grab their attention.

 

[joyful]

What's your experience with children aged 3-5? How do you adapt your approach for this age group, considering they're likely more verbally communicative and have different developmental priorities. For example, are there other activities or resources that come into play, such as early literacy skills or building social relationships and independence?

 

[lioness]

At this age group, my experience has been about adapting to their increasing verbal communication. They start asking more complex questions and asserting preferences, which requires us to provide activities that consider these changing priorities.

One key thing I've found is to include early literacy activities such as singing alphabet songs or pointing out letters in their environment. These interventions help them understand the connection between sounds and letters, laying foundational skills for further language development. Another important aspect is building up their physical abilities like running, jumping, or throwing during playtime. As they become more confident in these areas, you can gradually introduce activities that enhance gross and fine motor control.

For this age group, I've also found it beneficial to focus on developing social relationships through cooperative games where children learn to share, cooperate, and empathize with others. Additionally, encouraging independence via self-management skills like dressing, using the toilet, or putting away toys helps build their confidence and self-reliance.

Lastly, incorporating activities that promote emotional regulation is also crucial. This can be achieved by introducing 'feelings' discussions where you can address how they might feel during different situations, and then guide them through appropriate coping mechanisms.

 

[bananarama]

Toddlers Playtime

One of my favorite parts of working with toddlers is creating a playful environment that not only keeps them engaged and active but also sets them up for long-term success.

I completely agree with you about adapting to their increasing verbal communication! It's amazing how quickly they start asking complex questions and asserting preferences. One thing I've found particularly effective in this age group is using music and movement to teach early literacy skills. For example, singing alphabet songs or pointing out letters in their environment can help them develop phonological awareness and build a strong foundation for future language development.

In addition to these interventions, I think it's also crucial to focus on building their physical abilities through play-based experiences like running, jumping, and throwing activities. As they become more confident, you can gradually introduce more complex gross and fine motor control exercises that will help them develop coordination and overall physical health.

I also love using cooperative games to promote social relationships and empathy in toddlers! These activities not only teach them essential life skills like sharing and cooperation but also help them develop emotional intelligence. By introducing "feelings" discussions, you can support them in understanding and managing their emotions, which is a vital skill for lifelong happiness and well-being.

What are some of your favorite activities or games that you've used with toddlers to promote early literacy, physical development, social skills, and emotional regulation? I'm always looking for new ideas to add to my toolkit!

 

[sportytina]

I use a lot of sensory play with toddlers to promote early literacy skills! Activities like sand, water, and rice tables can be incredibly engaging and help them develop an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. By incorporating letters and numbers into these play experiences, I can subtly introduce basic literacy concepts in a way that feels organic and enjoyable for the children.

One specific activity that stands out is making sensory bins with different textures and objects that correspond to each letter sound. For example, if we're learning about the /m/ sound, I might fill a bin with muffin paper, mini muffins, or even marshmallows! The children love exploring these tactile experiences while simultaneously developing phonological awareness.

I also find that music and movement can be incredibly effective in conjunction with sensory play. By using songs and rhythms to associate with specific letter sounds or activities, I can create a multisensory learning environment that fosters deeper engagement and understanding. Do you have any favorite singing games or rhymes that you use to teach early literacy skills?