Teaching Toddlers Throughout the Day

For children not old enough to attend formal schooling, there are still multiple learning opportunities available throughout the day at little to no cost. As a parent or caregiver, you can help develop your child's cognitive skills, opinions of the world around them and their physical abilities.

Teaching can begin as soon as you say, "Good morning." When you open the shades, ask your child if it is sunny or cloudy, windy or raining. If your child is too young for these questions, you may want to explain that it is sunny today, or that the puddles on the ground are left from the rain that fell while you were sleeping.

As you prepare breakfast, have your child help you by counting out the Cheerios or pieces of toast. Sing the ABCs as you wait for the eggs to scramble or ask for the letters each food item begins with. Use everyday items as teaching tools. Talk to your child and explain what things are, what you are doing and why. They may not understand, but it will lead to word-object recognition. The more you talk with your child, the more language skills they will develop.

Encourage conversation while you use the outdoors as a giant classroom. When you are on a walk, count the cracks in the sidewalk or the fallen leaves. Have your child find treasures such as pinecones, leaves, twigs, rocks, etc. Talk about the sounds you hear: car horns, dogs barking, birds singing, planes overhead and big trucks. Read the signs posted or have your child tell you what they mean. Find all the colors in the rainbow; nature will provide them if you look closely. Have your child feel the difference between smooth stones and rough tree bark. Take the time to lie back and find shapes in the clouds. Ask children what they see. Have them tell you a story about their visions.

As you are out and about, there will be ample opportunities to teach your child. When you see a person littering, you can ask your child if they know what littering means. Use this time to teach them about it. Crossing streets can be dangerous if not done with caution and safety. Ask your child to tell you how to cross a street safely or demonstrate the safety rules. Let your child tell you when the light turns green, yellow or red. Ask what those colors mean for street safety.

When you are shopping, ask your little ones to help you find certain items. They'll think it's a game, and eventually it could save you time. As you come across people that look or sound different from you, take a moment to explain what the differences may be. Also point out the likenesses. Encourage your child to ask questions. Then you need to answer them honestly.

Balance, strength and endurance can be established using the objects nature provides or playgrounds, curbs, pets and household items. Encourage your children to make obstacle courses using buckets, jump ropes, boxes, etc. Offer to time them or count the repetitions of a hula-hoop contest. While playing fetch with a family pet, your child can learn the art of give and take as well as how to throw a ball. A curb can become a balancing beam or tightrope, while a large rock becomes a mountain to climb. Encourage your child to play; to run, jump, skip, turn cartwheels and explore the environment. Physical activity is not only part of a healthy lifestyle, it teaches skills that are called on daily.

Teaching a child by using everyday objects and situations is not only affordable, it's easy, and learning becomes a game rather than a chore. Use your imagination to help develop your child's mind and body. Explore your environment and use it to educate. Take the time to answer questions and explain the why's of your child's world. Allow them to get dirty, encourage them to use their imaginations, share your words and play with them. The learning will come naturally.