While mandatory schooling begins around age 6 in the United States, there’s no age for learning. From the moment they’re born, babies start looking at the new world that surrounds them with curious eyes, and if you’re a parent dedicated to their education, there are several things you can do to foster their knowledge—like finding them a preschool with the best toddler education in Royal Palm Beach, FL.
However, to start fostering your baby’s growth and take action to help them discover the world around them, understanding how toddlers learn is key. After all, a 5-year-old brain is different than a 2-year-old, and so on. This guide explores how toddlers learn to help you understand your baby and their little heads better.
As babies begin to move from crawling to walking, they enter what’s known as the toddler stage. This important milestone marks the beginning of a new period of their lives, filled with new funny experiences, interesting discoveries, and painful bumps.
Being able to toddle around the home on their own opens the door for babies to start learning more and more about their environment each day. Toddlers are very curious, and they will be very keen to explore their surroundings to learn key skills and information—much to their parents’ dismay, sometimes. During these times, remembering to leave the outside door closed is key.
Each child’s growth and development will occur at its own pace, but in some cases, the desire to try and learn new things can manifest as anger. After all, this age is often referred to as ‘the “terrible two’” for a reason.
As children reach the age of two, they’ll attempt to become more independent, which may translate into more frequent mood swings and impatience when things don’t go as they expect. It’s important for parents to understand a toddler’s need to try and do things on their own and support them.
Toddlers learn constantly and in many ways.
They gain a better understanding of their surroundings by watching and observing what is going on around them, both at home and when out and about. They also learn to understand and speak language by listening to conversations between family members.
Moreover, by asking lots of questions about things they don’t understand or want to learn more about, they satiate their curiosity while building a bond of trust with their caregivers (that’s you!).
All children love playing, and it is very enjoyable. It has the bonus of helping children learn, too. According to UNICEF, play is an important part of your child’s learning and growth, as it allows them to explore their environment, practice developing skills, and bond with others.
Key skills such as problem-solving, physical skills, reading, number skills, and social skills can be learned through activities as simple as playing house, mimicking adults, or making up new worlds with other children.
Playtime will change as your baby gets older, depending on their developing skills. However, it is beneficial to promote play from an early age; different forms of play are ideal. Some games to encourage toddlers to learn are:
Ask your toddler to assist with age-appropriate housework, such as serving lunch or organizing clothes. Try making it into a game and letting them know how helpful they are!
Create simple art projects with your toddler, such as drawings, finger paintings, or arranging items found outside, such as shells or pebbles. When they are finished, place them where your child can see them.
Build a tower with blocks or other safely stackable objects, then let your toddler knock it down.
Experts recommend that you narrate your day to your child. Talk about what you are doing while you are doing it; this is an excellent way to expose your toddler to various new words throughout the day.
Show your toddler a series of basic pictures, one at a time. Let’s say the first one depicts the sun. When you show it to your child, ask them to say ‘night’ rather than ‘day.’
If you’re Christian, you’ll probably want to share your beliefs with your toddler. While there’s no set age to introduce a child to religion, sharing the Bible can be a great way to show them the world and improve their language skills.
Once a toddler learns to walk, there is no turning back. They will want to continue moving and honing this newfound ability. As they gain control of their bodies and learn about their own skills, your child will be running, jumping, and climbing in no time.
This development is natural, but we can always do things to foster it and ensure it takes place in a safe environment. By fostering a love for learning, curiosity, and resilience from a young age, you’ll give your children valuable tools and prepare them for what’s to come.
Once your child is old enough, Neighborhood Kids is here to help you ensure your child receives the best education. If you want to learn more about our curriculum or are interested in our extracurricular activities, reach out!
Cities We Serve: Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens
2995 Greenbriar Boulevard Wellington, FL 33414
Directors:
Rosi Dominguez
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
1040 Wellington Trace Wellington, FL 33414
Directors:
Melissa Edwards
Programs: 12 months to 4 years
10701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (inside of Connect Church)
Directors:
Shawntay Smith
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
9515 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33472
Directors:
Melody McDonald
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
16333 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach, Fl. 33484
Directors:
Enma Vicente
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
6201 S Military Trail, Lake Worth, FL 33463
Directors:
Nicole English
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
Cross Community Church
2575 Lone Pine Rd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States, Florida
Directors:
Nadine Corrier
Programs: 8 weeks to 4 years
Are you an experienced Christian preschool teacher looking for a career change? If so we're looking for you!