18/01/2024
*Earn as you learn*
Developing Maths and Reading Skills in Toddlers
By Audrey Virgin
As soon as your child turns 1, they enter toddlerhood. Your child's development seems to speed up tremendously during this time as they reach so many social, intellectual and emotional milestones. This is the best time to help your child develop basic skills to help them read and understand maths.
Life is a game for a toddler! It is good to make learning fun. Here are 5 games or activities that develop mathematical skills:
1) Count things!
Count toys, fingers, food items, bath items, etc. Sing songs and say rhymes about counting that will make it stick.
2) Sort objects
Sort colouring crayons, toys, food items, etc. into different categories - like colours, or shapes, or types of things.
3) Name shapes
Try to find shapes (for example all the circles) in your house or a shop. Draw and paint and build shapes. Try to use shapes to make new objects or pictures.
4) Spatial relationships
Talk about 'near and far', 'in and out', 'under and over' and similar concepts while playing games such as 'tag' or doing a self-made obstacle course or playing at a park. Use words like 'empty and full' while playing with cups and containers in water or sand.
5) Patterns and Sizes
Help children to understand patterns by having them arrange blocks or toys in patterns of colours or drawing patterns on paper. They can also arrange toys or other objects from small to big in order to compare sizes.
Now, let us look at how to develop your toddler's literacy skills. The best way to help your toddler with reading is to talk to them to develop their vocabulary, and to read to them regularly. We will focus on how to read to them. Here are 5 ways to make reading time more engaging:
1) Read slowly and clearly to help your child understand.
2) Read the book that your toddler asks for or give them options of different books so that they can choose it themselves. Toddlers want to do more things on their own.
3) Make it entertaining by changing your voice, using puppets, acting out what you are reading, and singing songs that go along with the story, etc.
4) Use card or cloth books so your child can handle the books themselves (turn the pages or play with it on their own) without damaging it.
5) Talk about things in the book. Point to objects and name them. Ask your child to name them or answer questions about the story. Praise them for their responses.
You might also wonder where to find suitable books for your toddler. Bargain Books or PNA in the mall are good options. It is not always possible to buy new books. A good place to find second hand books in Heidelberg, is at the SPCA book shop near the mall and the Helpende Hand second hand store above China Mall across from Laer Volkskool.
Sources:
1) https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/math-games-for-your-toddler/
2) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/reading-toddler.html)
Answer these
questions about the article to earn 100 points which can be exchanged for products at our preloved baby shop at Delta Community Centre.
1) When is your child a toddler?
2) Name 3 games that can develop mathematical skills.
3) What items can you count with your toddler?
4) Why should you talk to your toddler a lot?
5) Why should you read slowly to your toddler?
6) How can you make reading entertaining?
7) How can you help your toddler to feel more independent during reading time?
😎 Where can you find new books in Vereenging?
9) Where can you find second hand books in Vereeniging?
10) Where else could you find books (other than the places mentioned in the article)?
Wondering how to teach math to toddlers? Build your little one's skills with these easy and entertaining activities.
