There are many different aspects of your child’s development. These facets help them hone their skills, shape their personality and become confident in their own abilities. Development involves everything from running without falling to asking open-ended questions. These are learned skills that can be developed through the right activities.
Your child’s development begins well before they step into the classroom. It should also continue to progress at home with guided activities. Read on to learn how everyday items and activities could help your child through active learning. That means engaging in the process beyond listening or memorization. These ideas can ensure that they are continuing to develop the skills that they’ll need for years to come.
5 everyday active learning activities and items for your child’s development
Helping your child through their development isn’t always simple. However, some of their learning tools can be. There are active learning activities they can do around the house. They can also play with basic toys that can make a world of difference. When they have the opportunity to be hands-on or immersed in the developmental process, they’re likely to retain the skills.
All children are capable of active learning, including children who may have a disability or conditions that can impact their development. If your child has a disability, be sure to work with their therapists and teachers. Collaborate to determine which developmental activities are the most effective for their needs and to find out how you can practice at home.
Here are five ways to provide active learning opportunities for your child:
- Use books in different ways — One of the most important activities for a child’s development is reading. It can encourage their imagination and boost their attention span while exploring a fundamental aspect of their education. Reading books can help your child learn buildable skills, such as vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking. There are also skills they can develop with the books themselves. For example, they can stack them. This activity can improve their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Set up a play kitchen — A popular toy for many children is a play kitchen. Having a play kitchen can help them develop many important sensory perceptual skills as they play with colorful plastic and cardboard foods. For example, children can explore different textures, such as the bumps on plastic grapes or the holes in Swiss cheese. By practicing to cook, bake or even make a sandwich, they can learn how to follow a sequence and recognize patterns.
- Test out a Hula-Hoop — Physical abilities go hand in hand with a child’s overall development. That’s why many healthcare providers and teachers encourage physical activities, such as hula-hooping. It can help them to gain some muscles anywhere they spin it. Hula-Hoops can also improve their motor skills and boost their coordination. Plus, children can practice mindfulness while connecting their mind and body.
- Encourage pull toys — Any activity that allows your child to grab and pull, such as playing with something on wheels, can help them work on their grip and hand strength. These are important contributing factors to everyday activities that they may start to practice independently, such as writing, holding an eating utensil and dressing themselves. You can encourage them to pull a wagon or a pull-along toy with a rope.
- Describe sensory experiences on a walk — Going for a walk can help your child in many ways. It can help them develop healthy habits while also building their strength and improving their coordination. One activity you can do with your child on a walk is describing the things you both hear, see and smell. This type of activity can help them gain a better understanding of their senses, process external stimuli and feel connected to their environment.
Ability KC helps move your child along their developmental journey with personalized activities
At Ability KC, we help children with conditions and severe injuries to develop the skills they need to reach their fullest potential, from motor skills to communication. Every treatment plan is tailored to your child to make sure that the services and therapies are as personalized as possible.
Not only do we help children in our outpatient pediatric programs through developmental tools and activities, but we also have an accredited therapeutic preschool where they can continue to progress with personalized lesson plans and learning goals.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Our therapeutic preschool has National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.