Engaging Screen-Friendly and Non-Screen Activities for Tiny Learners
From the moment they are born, infants are learning. In the years that follow—as they grow from babies to toddlers to preschoolers—parents and caregivers are their most important teachers. In fact, research shows that little ones learn best within the context of healthy, vibrant relationships.
And early learning is truly the foundation for future academic success and college readiness. Kindergarten readiness, for example, is a strong predictor of third grade reading scores. Studies consistently show a positive correlation between early childhood education and enrichment and higher academic achievement.
That means one-on-one time with your child provides not only vital love and acceptance, but also sensory stimulation, emotional regulation, motor skills development and more will build their cognitive and social skills!
To help you maximize the time you spend with your tiny learner, we consulted the experts and came up with these six fun activities to try out:
- Establish a Reading Routine. Boost your baby’s language skills with a consistent story time, perhaps between bath and bedtime every evening. Reading aloud, pointing out pictures, and snuggling with your child provide the building blocks of vocabulary and support emotional learning.
- Watch a Show (Together). While there’s no shortage of television these days, it pays to be choosy. For children between 2 and 5, experts recommend primarily educational programming and no more than one hour of noneducational screen time daily. They also encourage parents to watch TV along with their kids, opting for shows like “Bluey” and “Puffin Rock” that feature a balanced pace, positive social messages and thoughtful storytelling.
- Play Outside. The outdoors offers countless adventures and benefits for babies and toddlers. In addition to breathing fresh air and soaking up vitamin D, they can explore textures, smells and physical challenges in a safe way. For new walkers, a stroll through the neighborhood is a great way to boost confidence, build muscle and spread a little cheer!
- Celebrate Music. For babies, singing is often more effective than speaking. They are naturally drawn to lullabies and rhythmic movements like rocking and swaying. Researchers have found that singing to your baby reduces anxiety and promotes bonding. As your baby grows, songs can evolve to help teach counting and spelling, help identify feelings and emotions, and encourage healthy movement.
- Explore with Mirrors. Babies love looking at other people’s faces. A wonderful way to help them explore is to show them a mirror and see the reflections of your face, their face and a variety of fun toys and everyday objects.
- Wind Down. Toddlers love to play hard, but rest is important too. After a particularly busy activity or the excitement of experiencing something new, help your child transition to a period of quiet and stillness with soft music, their favorite blanket and stuffie, or a proper old-school nap.
Remember that although every child is unique, babies, toddlers and preschoolers are naturally curious, and when they feel safe and secure, they will gain the confidence to explore. And this confidence will serve them well through grade school and postsecondary education!
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