I once heard a teacher explain that a child’s mind is just like a sponge—thirsty and always eager to absorb information. Indeed, children are always learning and absorbing information about their environment. There are many family ideas that can teach a child something new or reinforce concepts they have already grasped. I like to use everyday activities as a way to make learning fun. For example, a routine shopping trip can encourage toddler speech development and concept development through fun family activities.
Cruising and Learning
On the way to the store, talk with your child and involve him in the journey. You can explain that when you come to a red light, you need to stop the car. And when the light turns green, you can go. Ask your child to tell you when the light is green.
You can take this game a few steps further by asking your child to point out another object that is green as you drive along. Change the game a bit, and ask your child to point out other colors that he or she sees. This simple game will help your child learn about colors and create conversation between you and your little passenger.
You can play a similar game by pointing out a letter you see, perhaps on a sign or a billboard. Ask your child to point out the same letter, and then discuss the sound that letter makes. This will help your child’s language skills.
Use the drive time to also teach concepts such as left and right to your child. When you make each turn, tell which direction you are going. The next time you turn, ask the child if your car turned left or right. These easy games will make the drive an interesting and educational journey.
A Tisket, a Tasket—There’s Knowledge in My Basket
Keep the conversation rolling between you and your child as you travel the aisles of the grocery store. There are endless games to play with your little one that will involve your child in the shopping experience, so use your imagination.
In the produce area, you can reinforce what your child knows about shapes, colors or counting. Show him something round, like an orange or grape. Ask what shape it is, and what color the fruit or vegetable is. Hold the plastic bag, and let your child help fill it with the produce. Tell your child to count each item he puts inside the bag. These simple activities will let your child feel like a helper and will make a pleasant shopping experience for both of you.
Be creative and discover other ways to reinforce the concepts that your child is learning. Go on a shape hunt and ask your child to find something square in the store, such as a cereal or cracker box. Count out loud to your child when you check eggs inside the carton. Point out the differences between something cold, like the ice cream, and something warm, like bakery-fresh bread.
Thank You, Come Again
When you prepare to check out, reinforce basic manners with your child by explaining that all the shoppers have to get into line and wait their turn. Talk to your little one about the items you’re about to purchase, and ask which food item is their favorite.
Conversation is vital to building language skills, so chat away with your little one, even if he or she is not yet speaking. I used to get some odd stares when I would take my infant to the store and talk to her all through the aisles. But I am convinced that those adventures and chats helped build her vocabulary skills, and now it is often hard for me to fit a word in edge-wise!
Involving your child in activities such as these can turn ordinary errands into a fun experience for the both of you. And the value of knowledge will add up fast.