As your toddler approaches their second birthday, a remarkable expansion of language skills is on the horizon. At this stage, it’s critical for them to have numerous ways to express their likes and dislikes. You have been laying the groundwork for vocabulary development by identifying common objects such as trees, cats, and fire trucks. Now, it’s time to delve deeper. Engage your child in conversations about the characteristics of these objects—discuss how they might be shiny, stinky, or silky. Present a range of textures, such as bits of sandpaper or cotton balls, and explore how they feel together. When reading, draw attention to sensory details: “Look at the three bears’ porridge; it’s steaming! It must be very hot!”
Moreover, your toddler is actively developing early math skills. Understanding shapes and basic spatial relationships—like whether an item is located under, behind, or on top of something—forms the foundation for grasping geometry concepts. Shapes are ubiquitous (as noted by Team Umizoomi), and pointing them out to your child can help them start recognizing these forms, even if they cannot yet articulate them. Help reinforce spatial concepts by providing clear examples: “The toy is under the rug,” or “The dog is behind the chair”—though perhaps avoid mentioning the wine in the refrigerator!
Pro Tip
Engaging in activities like the Hokey Pokey, where you instruct your toddler to “put your right foot in, take your right foot out,” is not only enjoyable but also aids in teaching spatial awareness. Plus, it’s an excellent way for your child to expend some of that boundless energy, making bedtime a bit easier!
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In summary, as your toddler nears their second birthday, fostering their language and math skills through engaging and sensory-rich experiences is essential. By pointing out textures and shapes and participating in interactive activities, you are setting a solid foundation for their cognitive development.