Curious children

 

Toddlers are super curious and interested in everything around them.

They do also think they are the center of it all. They learn by experiencing their world and through play.  They should be allowed to interact in a safe way with their surroundings.  For example, when they are outside they should be free to explore but not among dangerous plants or terrain. At a playground, they should be limited to the structures for their age range. Inside, their play areas should be safe, and any objects left for them to play with should not be breakable or toxic.  Toddlers love to touch and can learn by feeling all different textures. This works well with items around the house such as fabrics, woods, metals, foods, etc.  Toddlers also learn through imitation. It is very important to speak to them often using the correct words for all of the things that they see and do. Reading aloud to toddlers also is very important in the development of their speech and will help them become good readers and writers in the future. They love to see different facial expressions and to play peek-a-boo.  Toddlers should also spend time with other toddlers. These ‘play dates’ should be highly supervised. Although the toddlers may just be doing side-by-side play, they are learning to use their imagination and develop appropriate social skills.  Most importantly, toddlers learn love by spending quality time with their families. Practicing manners and family traditions and routines lays an important foundation for developing a well adjusted child.