Cognitive Development
Cognitive Development Sub Categories
Sort those Shapes
Shape sorters are a great way to improve your toddler’s fine motor skills and teach shapes at the same time. But, they can be frustrating for new users. Using the shape sorter together can reduce frustration and provide a nice opportunity to talk about shapes while you spend time with your toddler.
For this activity, have your toddler choose a block to put into the shape sorter. Talk out loud as you search the shape sorter for the right spot.
“This is a green cube. I wonder where the cube goes. Oh! It looks like it might fit here! Let’s try to put the green cube into this hole.”
Let your toddler try, giving them hints along the way. (This will also help them learn the vocabulary to follow directions.)
“Try turning it. You can do it!”
If they start to get frustrated, gently guide their hand. Let them choose the next shape.
Related Posts:
Director of Spray Bottle Technology
Cleaning can be a challenge with toddlers. Turn it into a joint activity by turning your toddler into your official Director of Spray Bottle Technology.
Monitor your toddler very closely with this activity. Make sure that the bottle is always pointed away from their face and at the object they are supposed to be spraying.
Instruct your toddler to spray in batches of 3 and to count as they spray. That way, they practice their counting while keeping the amount of spray at a reasonable level.
To mix things up a bit, try trading places. Sometimes, they get to spray while you wipe. Sometimes, they get to wipe while you spray.
Your toddler can help you by…
- Spraying the glass cleaner while you wipe down the windows
- Spraying the dust polish while you wipe down the furniture
- Spraying air freshener
- Spraying odor eliminator on couch cushions and pillows
Related Posts:
Closer and Farther Toddler Activity
This is one of Little Dude’s favorite activities right now (at 2 years-old). He gets to run around and hunt for something while learning the concepts of closer and farther. (I thought about using “hot” and “cold”, but it seemed more useful to use real concepts.)
To do this activity…
Pick a small toy or stuffed animal and explain that you are going to hide it. The trick is to hide it without them watching. Then, have them find it. As they get farther, make your voice quieter as you say, “Farther…farther…farther”. As they get closer, speak louder as you say, “Closer…CLOSER…CLOSER!!!”.
Your volume will give them clues as they learn the concepts of closer and farther.
Incoming search terms:
Related Posts:
Silverware Sorting
Clean out your silverware drawer and teach your toddler how to sort at the same time!
What you Need for this Toddler Activity…
* Contents of your silverware drawer
* Drawer organizer
How you Do It…
- Start by removing all sharp or otherwise dangerous items from your silverware drawer and putting them out of reach.
- Dump the contents into a tray and then clean the drawer organizer.
- Start your toddler off by showing them where a butter knife belongs, where the small spoons go, etc.
- Then, let them go at it!
Taking it a Step Further…
You may even want to provide your toddler with a dish towel and show them how to “polish” the silverware before they put it away.
Related Posts:
Toy Rotation
With the attention-span of a fruit fly, toddlers lose interest in toys very quickly. Rather than buying new toys to add to the clutter, try rotating your toddler’s toys every few weeks.
Narrowing down your toddler’s toys will help reduce distractions. Plus, when old toys are reintroduced, your toddler’s experiences will have grown and they may find new ways to enjoy them.
How To Do It…
Have your toddler choose some of their favorite toys and set them aside. Then, work together to put all of the other toys into bins or boxes. (Clear plastic boxes are ideal because you can see what is in them without bothering with labels.)
Your toddler will be able to practice his/her sorting skills by putting all of the Mr. Potato Head pieces in one box, all of the Legos in another, etc.
Put the bins and boxes into a closet or other space so that they are out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Then, in a few weeks, swap out some of the current toys with items from the bins.
Tips…
* This is also a great time to identify toys to give away or sell at a garage sale.
* If your child is upset about putting his/her toys away, you may want to do this activity while they are sleeping.
