Get Moving to Get Learning

Young Children Love to Move

T oddlers naturally want to move around, infact it's impossible to keep them still for long!

Toddlers also get bored quickly, and their concentration can quicky disappear. Get them moving to keep their attention.

You can incorporate some excellent practical literacy practice for your child into ordinary activities.

If you don't initially get much respoinse from your child, don't worry and certainly don't give up. Simply try again next time. Eventually, you'll be rewarded for your efforts. You'll begin see your child's responses improve and become more fluent. Later on, your child will naturally do well in their literacy at school work thanks to the time you've invest now.

Does Your Child Learn Best Whilst Moving Around?

Different children learn best in different ways, your child might learn better whilst moving about.

We have seen many examples where a quiet child springs to life with the introduction of a physical aspect to the learning.

For Activities, Talk About It Before and After

Talk about what you will be doing in the activity with your toddler, take the time to answer their questions.

Again, after the activity, take the time to talk to your child about it. Your toddler may not remember much but by talking about it, you will help them develop their memory.

When talking about the experiance, don't forget to ask your child what they enjoyed and how they felt. This gives them valuable practice in expressing themselves.

Movement Games

Toddlers love games that get them moving. A lot of fun and effective learning can be done in understanding and following game rules. These games are also great for learning to get on with other children.

These simple games have the added benefit of helping your child become more coordinated whilst putting some of that endless energy to good use.

Simon Says

Musical Statues

Stuck in the Mud

Get Active with Rhymes

Rhymes that involve movement can be great fun and also build coordination. Choose a DVD that suits your child, prefereably with other children participating in the DVD as todders love to copy other children.

At home, get stuck in and join in the rhymes and action by taking the lead. This should help your child join in and is a good way to grow their enthusiasm.

Get Out and About

Going out is a mini-adventure for a toddler.

Before setting out, explain where you are going, why you are going there. An outing, might be as simple as going on a bus, going to the post office, or going to the park.

Having a change of scene can be good for both you and your child.

Trip to the Playground

Most children love going to the playgound.

There lots to show your child, such as; the names of the equipment, colours, which materials are used for different things and why.

The playground is a great place for your child to meet other children, You may think there's not much socialising going on, but the children must take turns on the slides, learn new techniques by watch others, show off their skills, and help others.

They will learn a lot whilst overcoming physical challenges, they will need to develop life skills such as determination to succeed. It's the same with learning... where they will also face challenges and it's the same determination they developed at the playground that will help them to success.

Your child will also have a valuable chance to become braver as they set themselves goals and achieve them

Don't forget to paise them for their achivements and overcoming their fear to complete their goals.

In poor weather, there are many indoor play areas available which are well worth using.

Ask You Child for Help in Your Chores

This is good way to talk to your child whilst still getting your chores done. eg Can you give me the red socks ? - lots of learning going on + child learns to help