Enrichment Activities for Infants and Toddlers

Reading: Of course reading and talking to your infant is a great way to foster communication skills in your child. I took a reading endorsement class during my teaching career. The lecturer stated that children of stay at home moms ended up being better readers than those who did not have a stay at home mom. The reason? Mothers talked more to their children when they stayed at home. At daycare children have limited contact with a provider who is talking and reading to them on a regular basis. The more sounds that a child is introduced to, the better able he will be to recognize those sounds in later life. This helps him with pronunciation and phonics. Of course, being a stay at home mom doesn't guarantee that your child will be a great reader. Just make sure to read to your child at least once a day. And regularly talk to your child. Studies have even shown that baby talk helps children to become good readers. The high pitched sound of the voice when using baby talk helps infants hear the different sounds in words better.

Online activities: For a vast array of free educational games to play with your infant and toddler, you can visit the Fisher-Price website. The activities are divided up by age group. My one year old loves to sit at the computer with me and play the ABC Zoo game. He is thoroughly enchanted by it, and he loves the ABC song. All of the games have beautiful, bright, vivid colors that attract young children's attention. You can schedule regular online fun each day by visiting this site with your children.

Homemade fun: Plastic measuring cups, plastic cups, bath books, and other soft material are great items to teach children math. While taking a bath, you can say aloud the number of things that are in the tub. You can count everyday home items. You can go outside and count the number of leaves. Explore nature and discuss it. The visual and auditory stimulation from playing outdoors helps infants and toddlers learn more about their world.

Don't get bogged down with expensive toys and gadgets, thinking these things are the key to helping your young child learn. These simple and creative ways to provide enrichment and learning for your child will help them have a great start on their journey to lifelong learning. The opportunities are endless with how you can teach even the youngest infant. Follow your instincts and observe your child and see what they like.