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by Lisa Schalk
As a parent or caregiver, finding ways to enrich your toddler's everyday activities can be both fulfilling and fun. Here are some ideas to add a dash of enrichment to simple daily routines:
- Play with Puzzles. Help toddlers with simple puzzles featuring shapes, colors, or animals. Name each piece as they place it, and show them how to problem-solve by turning or flipping pieces to make them fit.
- Encourage Curiosity. Stimulate curiosity by exploring new things together. Visit the park, take a walk, or go on a bus ride to discover new sights and sounds.
- Have an Outdoor Picnic. Make outdoor time special with a picnic. Add a scavenger hunt for leaves, bugs, sticks, and rocks to make it even more engaging.
- Fun in the Kitchen. Let your child help with simple cooking tasks like making pancakes. They can measure, pour, stir, and count ingredients (e.g., “Can you give me 5 blueberries?”).
- Toothbrushing Together. Encourage your toddler to brush their own teeth after you’ve given them a thorough cleaning first. This helps build independence and good hygiene habits.
- Pillow Play. Create forts and nests on the floor using pillows. This can be a fun activity for both toddlers and their stuffed animals.
- Read, Read, Read. Read books, sing songs, and recite nursery rhymes repeatedly to nurture memory and language skills. Teach young learners how to turn the pages and let them do so as you read.
- Sensory Play. Engage in sensory play with materials like Kinetic Sand or homemade Play-Doh to strengthen small motor skills.
- Water Play. Fill a shallow basin with water and provide cups and spoons for hand-eye coordination and sensory exploration.
- Follow a Routine. Try to stick to a consistent routine. Young children thrive on regularity and knowing what to expect.
- Gross Motor Development. Encourage independence by letting toddlers navigate stairs on their own. Teach them to differentiate between standing flat and on tiptoes, and practice walking on tiptoes and backwards. Allow them to put on simple shoes independently and build extra time into your schedule to let them practice these skills.
- Outdoor Art. Get creative with outdoor art activities like chalk drawing, finger painting, and using natural materials.
- Two-Step Directions. Familiarize toddlers with two-step directions, such as “pick up the book and put it on the shelf.”
- Offer Choices. Whenever possible, offer toddlers two choices (e.g., “Do you want to wear the red shirt or the blue shirt?”), ensuring both options are appropriate.
- Music and Movement. Incorporate music and movement into your day. Sing, dance, and use scarves and ribbons to add a dramatic flair.
- Gardening. Teach your toddler to care for plants by gardening together, whether outdoors or on your windowsill or terrace.
- Relax and Enjoy. Most importantly, relax, have fun, and enjoy these magic years. Don’t rush through these precious moments with your toddler.
By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you can create enriching, enjoyable experiences that foster your toddler’s growth and development. For more information, tune into our video about Summer Enrichment Opportunities for Toddlers!
