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Parents are toddler’s first teachers. The
home is the first learning environment for every toddler. During the
first three years, the learning toddler makes leaps and bounds in his
development. He develops physically, mentally, social-emotionally and
spiritually. Parents can do a great deal to cultivate and lay the
foundation for a toddler’s love for learning.
Toddler Learning Behavior
Toddlers are great with hands-on approach
to learning. They need lots of developmentally-appropriate toddler
learning toys as well as non-toys. They want to learn to do things for
themselves. Pouring, scooping, tying shoe-laces, buttoning and opening
doors are among the many skills toddlers eagerly want to learn. Play is
a child’s work. Your learning toddlers are not ready for formal
teaching.
Toddlers have no wait time. Their inability to give in or to adapt
often upsets them. There are two factors which have strong influence on
the way toddlers react to the complexities of this age:
* Their personality
* How parents manage their behavior
While there is little that can be done about the first factor, there is
much parents can do to make the difficult toddler age more bearable for
both parents and child.
Toddlers are self-learners. They learn to turn, crawl, stand and walk
all by themselves. They can also learn to talk, read and write by
themselves. If they are allowed the time and freedom, they will be able
to do things for themselves easily. They need support and
encouragement. They do not want parents to rush them into learning
something that is not appropriate developmentally.
Parents Role in Toddler Learning
The role of parents is to give their
learning toddler time and encouragement to master their own problems.
Instead of rushing to help your toddler to wear his shoes, it is better
for you to give him time to work it out and tell him that you
understand his struggle. Patience and practice will surely boost your
child’s confidence.
Parents can provide a safe and interesting environment in which the
learning toddlers can work on their skills like walking, talking,
running and climbing. They are great explorers. Everything in their
environment is a possibility to be used as a tool for their learning.
Therefore, it is important that parents take the necessary steps to
ensure children’s
safety
and
health while they explore freely and
learn at their own pace.
Teaching Your Toddler
Look around your house. Where is your
toddler’s favorite hideaway or his favorite spot to play? Safe proof
the spaces where you toddler will be spending his time. This way you can
relax and enjoy your special times together. Make sure the environment
is also well-ventilated and well-lit.
Get organized with low shelves and storage boxes. You can label them
according to your child’s interests or
childhood developmental
aspects such as physical, language, social or intellectual play. It is
easier for both of you and your child when the things are carefully
stored away in different storage boxes. Your child can be quite
independent even in cleaning or tidying up.
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