How to educate a toddler at home

Educating toddlers both at home and nursery or school provides the foundation for a well-rounded education.

Naturally, children benefit by being guided by teaching professionals in an environment surrounded by children that are all finding their way through their learning journey. However, supporting children in their home environment can really support strong development in their education.

What ways can parents and carers help toddlers with their learning development?

Communicate with Teachers

Establish open communication with your toddler’s teachers or caregivers. Ensure you stay updated on their progress, activities, and any areas needing improvement. Children learn in four different ways; visual, audible, tactile and kinaesthetic learning, as supported by Happy Little Doers Educational Flashcards. By identifying and understanding your child’s favourite way of learning, it can make the learning journey and daily routines far easier to manage. Share and discuss these insights about your child’s interests, strengths, and challenges with your toddlers teacher or carer.

Consistency and Routine

Even as a baby develops, the word ‘routine’ is a regular recommendation from both health and child professionals (and inevitably friends, family and even strangers!). However, routine really IS an important factor in the development of children. In fact, routine is something that can help success in life even as an adult – whether that is routine in the morning, daily routines or night time rituals. By maintaining a consistent routine both at home and school, it will provide stability for your child. Consistency helps them feel secure and understand what to expect in different environments.

Happy Little Doers Numbers Flashcards

Reinforce Learning

Reinforcing what children learn at nursery or school has a huge amount of benefits. As a parent or carer, not only are you supporting your child with the confidence of growing in their learning journey, you will also be able to see the progression of your child’s learning, help support them in their future development and build a stronger relationship with your child or children. In a home environment, look to supplement what they learn at school with activities at home that are designed to suit their favoured and preferred way of learning. For instance, if they’re learning about animals at school, extend the learning by reading related books or doing crafts related to animals at home.

Identify & Collaborate on Learning Goals

Discuss with the teacher or carer what is being learnt and coordinate to align learning goals. Discuss ways to reinforce classroom learning at home and vice versa. This collaboration can enhance your toddler’s understanding and retention of new concepts.

Engage in Learning Activities

Happy Little Doers began for the purpose of helping support parents with teaching children using learning activities. In these early years, children are renowned for absorbing everything in their surroundings and so this is a crucial time for parents to support their children. Whether they are a newborn, developing their eyes to focus and track, learning to crawl, learning numbers, shapes, reading, writing, cooking, sports or anything else. Teaching these skills at home therefore shouldn’t feel like a lesson as it is an important time for children to be discovering. Encourage learning activities at home that complement their school curriculum. Each of the packs in our educational flashcard range are designed to support the UK school curriculum. This could involve practicing writing skills, doing simple math exercises, engaging in art projects, or exploring science experiments together.

Happy Little Doers Writing Flashcards

Foster a Love for Learning

Create an environment that fosters curiosity and a love for learning. Consider what items you have around your home and how easy they are for your child to access and explore independently. Encourage exploration, ask questions that provoke creative thinking, and engage in conversations about various topics to stimulate your child’s intellectual growth.

Encourage Independence

Encouraging children’s independence is vital for their mental and social development. When children learn to do things on their own, they gain confidence and a sense of capability. This self-assurance extends beyond immediate tasks; it shapes their attitudes toward challenges and problem-solving in life. Independence fosters a proactive mindset, allowing children to take initiative and explore their interests. It also helps them develop resilience, learning from mistakes and setbacks. As they become more independent, they acquire valuable life skills like decision-making, time management, and responsibility. Moreover, fostering independence strengthens the parent-child bond by instilling trust and mutual respect. Ultimately, this condition prepares children for the future, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in various aspects of life.

Attend School Events

Participate in school events, parent-teacher meetings, and activities organised by the school. Involvement in school life helps you understand the curriculum and aspects of your child’s daily live as well as encouraging a sense of community for your toddler.

Celebrate Achievements

Celebrating achievements in toddlers is crucial because it nurtures their self-esteem and confidence. When children receive recognition for their efforts, they feel valued and capable. It reinforces positive behaviour, encouraging them to continue exploring and learning. Celebrating achievements helps toddlers understand the connection between their actions and positive outcomes, motivating them to persist in new goals. It also fosters a supportive environment, strengthening the bond between caregivers and children. By acknowledging and celebrating their milestones, big or small, toddlers develop a sense of accomplishment and learn to set and strive for new goals. Ultimately, celebrating achievements contributes to a child’s emotional well-being, promoting a positive attitude toward learning and growth.

Phonics Treasure Hunt with Happy Little Doers Phonics Flashcards

Foster a Positive Attitude

Encourage a positive attitude towards learning and school. Speak positively about school experiences, teachers, and the value of education to instill a positive mindset in your toddler. Balancing home and school support is essential for a toddler’s holistic development. Collaboration between home and school environments creates a positive atmosphere for learning and growth.

Teaching toddlers at home can be a wonderful and rewarding experience! Whatever time of year, whether it is in the holidays or school term time, winter or summer, supporting children at home has so many incredible benefits. The big question is… what is the best way to do it? Here are some tips to how to educate a toddler at home effectively.

Use Play-Based Learning

Toddlers learn best through play! Yes it’s a well-known fact to many parents, but it can sometimes feel a little daunting to find the right activity to do. Engage your child in activities that are both fun and educational using objects such as building blocks, puzzles, colouring books, and games that promote cognitive skills, creativity, and problem-solving. The Happy Little Doers Flashcard range all feature a range of activities designed to support parents, as well as children, in identifying new ways that children can learn about various topics – whether it’s curricula based for nursery and school, or fun topics, such as dinosaurs and oceans.

Dinosaur Flashcards by Happy Little Doers

Read Together

Reading is crucial for language development. Aim to make reading a daily habit. If your nursery or school supports your child by providing age appropriate books then try to read consistently. If you need to source books independently, choose colourful and interactive books that are age-appropriate. Libraries are well-underused by parents and are full of fantastic books for all ages. Introducing your child to the library environment is incredibly enriching – the opportunity for them not only to be surrounded by a world of books, but more importantly, the opportunity for them to choose books that they want to read. If those books are not within their reading capability, supporting your child by reading each book for them provides them with the enjoyment and fun of books. Encourage them to ask questions and discuss the story.

Encourage Exploration

Take advantage of everyday experiences to teach your toddler. Talk about the things you see, hear, touch, and smell. Take nature walks, visit the park, or explore your garden or local park together.

Incorporate Music and Movement

Toddlers love music and movement. Sing songs, dance together, and play musical instruments. This helps with their coordination, rhythm, and language development.

Limit the use of Technology!

We now live in a world of technology where it surrounds us all on a daily. Excessive screen time for toddlers can impact their development negatively. It may hinder language acquisition, impede social skills development, disrupt sleep patterns, and potentially lead to behavioural issues. Additionally, prolonged screen exposure can limit physical activity, which is crucial for a child’s overall growth and health. If you decide to support your child with technology, consider only using educational apps or interactive programs designed for toddlers. However, limit screen time and ensure that any digital interactions are age-appropriate and balanced with other activities.

Dinosaur Memory Match Snap Game for Kids

Arrange Social Interaction

Arrange playdates or attend toddler groups to help your child learn social skills like sharing, taking turns, and interacting with others.

Be Patient and Positive

Toddlers learn through trial and error. Encourage their efforts and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Patience is key as they explore and learn.

Remember, every child is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to educating toddlers. Adapt activities based on your child’s interests, abilities, and developmental stage. Above all, make learning a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your toddler!