A toddler is a child approximately from 1 to 3 years and toddler years are a time of great emotional, cognitive and social development. It is second nature for toddlers to learn by playing and exploring in safe and stimulating environments.

Children learn best by actively engaging in various activities and interacting with the environment. Even their relationships help them learn by communicating, thinking and problem solving.

Babies are always ready to take in something new and their brains develop through experience. A stimulating environment with plenty of opportunities to play and learn is the best method to develop. They learn best when there is a caring and responsive relationship between them and their guardians. You are your child’s first teacher and you play a vital role in helping them to learn in the early years of their life.

Your child’s relationships with you and other family members are the foundation for their healthy learning and development. Plenty of time spent playing and interacting with elders will really help you child to learn important life skills – like communicating, thinking, problem- solving etc.

Your child may learn by:

• Asking questions and receiving answers for the same.
• Exploring, maybe by fidgeting with things.
• Observing things, watching different facial expressions.
• Playing with building blocks or toys.
• Touching, tasting, hearing and feeling different objects.

You can ensure their learning and development and it could be as simple as:

• Showing picture books and making them know what it is.
• Choosing objects and toys to play with.
• Making them understand different fruits and vegetables.
• Starting by making them learn simple words and its meaning.

All children benefit from trying plenty of different kinds of activities. This ensures that they have many ways to learn and even execute what they have learned. A balance of indoor and outdoor, physically active or quiet activities is very important.

Your child needs support to learn. It is not always necessary to give your children all the answers. Sometimes leaving themselves be so that they can understand their own mistakes might be the best thing to do. It’s a big part in their learning process. Praise and encouragement can go a long way. It will ensure that your child remains interested in learning something new everyday and it makes them feel wanted and good.

RELATIONSHIPS

It is from a child’s parents and family that they are influenced the most. They look upto you and hope that you will guide them through every obstacle. This is trust. They start understanding their own needs, thoughts, feelings, likes and dislikes. Family relationships are what teach them how to get on with other children and grown-ups.

LANGUAGE

Your actions such as talking, listening, reading, writing, singing and dancing along with their child, help them learn about language, written and verbal communication and enhance their conversational skills like taking turns to speak and actively listen.

PLACE AND ENVIRONMENT

Different environments ensure that your child has an all-round growth. Your child can learn about shapes and sizes at home – like you can teach them that this shape represents a circle, the table top is a square etc. Your child also learns about their standing in the community and their influence in the world around them. For example, ‘My house is on this street and my friend lives in the next street’ or ‘I am taking care of the plants by watering them everyday’.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

When it comes to physical fitness and healthy eating, you are your child’s role model. They will try to follow you and your eating and exercising habits. If you remain physically idle and only eat and work, your child is bound to do the same thing. Try to be a good influence. If you choose a fruit over junk food, your child in the future will also resort to eating fruits leading to a healthier eating habit. If you choose a morning walk rather than sleeping till late morning, your child will be the first to wake you up on time if you try to slack off sometimes.

SKILLS

Your child can build early numeracy skills by you helping them count stuff everyday – for example, ‘How many animals are there on the blanket?’ or ‘How many items are missing?’

It is with everyday reading and storytelling that your child develops literacy skills. Playing simple games such as what is the sound of this letter and looking at picture books, letters and words on signs and brochures can really help.

Encouraging your child to write, draw and scribble develops their early writing skills. Teaching them to draw the alphabets and numbers and then by making sure that they practise and consider it as a game is great for their development. Writing will help them understand the connection between the letters and their sound.