Looking for a way your child can participate in a fun activity that they can learn from? This blog will discuss five different activities which are essential for 2 to 3-year-olds to develop both physically and mentally. From getting crafty in the kitchen, to taking seasonal nature walks, there are multitude of activities they can do to prosper in early development. After all, who says learning has to be dull?
1. Outdoor Play
As technology is developing, children are spending less time outdoors and more time using smartphones and tablets. In fact, a recent study revealed that 65% of parents surveyed played outdoors daily as children, compared to only 30% of their children today. Getting your children is not just essential for their development, but also their health, as it encourages them to engage in physical exercise.
It is recommended that 2 to 3-year-olds who can walk independently need to do at least three hours of physical activity every day. Children who are used to the outdoors are more likely to build more skills, including trying new activities and making friends. It increases their curiosity and offers a way to get them to explore the natural environment. By getting regular exercise and outdoor space, children can also improve on their mental well-being as well!
2. Arts and Crafts
Children enjoy nothing more than getting creative and making a mess whilst doing so. Getting involved in anything arty offers an interactive way for children to develop essential skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. From painting different shapes to fun play-dough projects, there are many things children can do to get them in the art scene! Different activities can include:
- Pipe cleaner crafts
- Paper crowns
- Painting
- Play-dough
- Handprint art
- Birdhouse making
3. Sensory Activities
Sensory play is perfect for activating your child’s senses. It provides an opportunity for children to explore different textures, tastes, smells and sounds. It also helps with motor skills and cognitive development. For sensory play, there is a wide range of activities your child can participate in, ranging from simple flour sensory trays to more complex wave bottles and many more engaging options. However, it may cause a mess, but that is crucial for your toddler’s learning experience. So why not join in on the fun?!
4. Nature Walks
As discussed earlier, it is super important for your toddler to get out in the fresh air. So what better way to encourage this than a fun nature walk? You can take your child out for a seasonal walk to get them to explore nature in an authentic and interactive way.
- Spring: Set up a scavenger hunt for your child to learn and have fun
- Summer: As summer is colourful, a good idea would be to get your child to look for all the colours of the rainbow in nature!
- Autumn: Collect leaves, conkers and other autumnal treasures to make a collection. Or have a picnic walk!
- Winter: Encourage festive walks during winter or play I spy to find holly leaves, animals, and berries.
5. Cooking
The kitchen is a great way to get your 2 or 3-year-old to participate in productive activities. Cooking is a life skill that can really teach your child many techniques including stirring, mixing, rolling, spreading and more. They can also develop and expand their taste palette, and get to know different flavours and textures. Cooking or baking will help your child improve their hand-eye coordination and culinary skills at a very early age!
Here at First Steps Day Nursery, our modern day care centre is a space that encourages children to get involved in all these activities for an enhanced learning experience. We offer multiple rooms, such as Ladybirds and Butterflies, all aimed to create and encourage creative and interactive learning experiences. We also have a great garden space, so that your child can breathe in the outdoors for increased mental and physical well-being. Book a tour with us to have a look at our facilities!
