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How to Incorporate Learning into Your Child's Daily Routine
Special to The Truth
Young children don’t need
to be in a classroom to learn important skills. And the
earlier you get started, the better. Here are some great
ways to incorporate fun learning experiences into your
child’s day.
Bath Time
Don’t miss the opportunity
to make bath time a fun and engaging experience. Count
rubber duckies together, sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and
Toes,” complete with corresponding choreography, and read
books -- just be sure they are of the waterproof variety!
Even just talking to your children during this time can be
educational, helping them pick up new vocabulary and develop
language skills.
Play Time
With careful
consideration, your play area can serve double-duty, being a
station for fun while encouraging a child's curiosity and
love of learning. Consider innovative learning toys that
actively teach important skills, such as counting, shapes,
colors and the alphabet, while introducing the
problem-solving, creativity and social skills children will
need to thrive as they grow.
Certain toy brands, such
as LeapFrog, have created a variety of learning tools that
are also fun to play with for young kids. For example, their
new Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart can help children build
memory and sequencing skills while they create ice cream
cones with a scooper that recognizes colors and flavors. The
brand also has a combination laptop and touch screen tablet
called the 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch, which is designed to help
kids learn letters, numbers and music.
“Childhood is a time of
discovery, so seek out toys designed to foster children’s
natural curiosity,” says Clement Chau, EdD, director of
learning for LeapFrog. “Toys should provide a range of
experiences that build a strong foundation of learning.”
Chau also recommends Step
& Learn Scout, a pet pup that teaches kids letters and
counting while they develop gross motor skills and get some
exercise, as well as the Stack & Tumble Elephant, for
building hand-eye coordination while learning songs, numbers
and phrases.
Mealtime
Mealtime is the perfect
time of day to teach kids about their health, as well as
good nutrition habits. You can teach kids about the five
food groups, as well as vitamin basics, so they learn that
what they put into their body can have a positive impact on
their growth and wellness. Kids can also develop motor
skills by helping you in the kitchen. From pouring to mixing
to measuring, there are many kitchen tasks perfect for
little hands.
Bedtime
Help kids wind down before
bed with some great books. Read to your children until they
can read to themselves. You’ll be forming a lifelong habit
of learning.
The right tools and habits
can make it easy to seamlessly incorporate education into
your child’s daily routine.
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