Park life: why the experience of swinging is so good for development
Many aspects of your child’s development are described as ‘experience-dependent’, which means they develop certain skills in response to their experience. It is a key part of development, as real and repeated experiences help build and strengthen connections in the brain. As your child makes these connections, and gains strength and control of their movements, you might notice that they are able to do more things independently.
Parks have play equipment that offer your child lots of experience to develop and build experience-dependent skills, like using a swing.
Visual closure. What is it and why will it help my child to read?
Visual closure is the skill that allows us to recognise an object when we can only see part of it, as we are able to imagine the rest of the object. It is a skill that will help your toddler read in the future, as they will read the whole word rather than individual letters, and it is useful now for things like finding a toy in a toy box, or completing a puzzle.
Sometimes, as your toddler grows you wonder when you need to start teaching them important skills like reading and writing – because most of us think that starts with letter cards, or alphabet games. But your toddler is already mastering skills that lay the foundations for literacy – without an alphabet poster in sight!
Why your toddler might find self-soothing hard and how you can help them
Sensory input can be both stimulating and calming; as adults we often know what kind of input we need and can seek it out. You might go for a walk if you find your energy levels dropping, or find a quiet space to calm down after a busy day. Your toddler is probably developing some awareness of what helps them – but will often need help to identify exactly what they need.
Your toddler might be starting to become more aware of what sensory experiences they find calming and occasionally be able to find these when needed.
Gently does it! Your toddler might now be more careful with precious items
Your toddler might be beginning to show more care as they look at or handle delicate items. This is linked to the development of their senses and means that they can explore and enjoy lots of new experiences. There might also be times it doesn’t work out and things get broken as part of their learning process, so we have shared some ideas to help you talk to your toddler in those moments.
It is important to remember that your toddler is still learning these skills.
Catch by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
This story is about a young girl playing catch with her Mum. It captures the warmth of a relationship between a parent and child and has lots of parts where your toddler could move about or join in. Spoiler alert, there is a lovely ending when Mum gives something to Kiona that she knows she can catch and keep forever!
In this story Kiona and her Mum are playing catch in the garden, the ball is too big for Kiona to catch so they look for something else!
Barefoot is brilliant... but why? And more importantly... how?
When we learn to walk, we’re (often) barefoot or in socks. In many countries around the world going barefoot throughout much of childhood, and beyond, is expected. In many other countries, including in the UK, it seems that once children can walk in shoes they almost never come off – and certainly not outside. We want parents to feel confident to let their toddlers, children and themselves run free with bare feet just a little more often. Here’s why.
Going barefoot has lots of advantages – for the feet and the rest of your toddler’s body!
Looking and reaching: how your baby’s development is interconnected
During your baby’s journey, you might notice that there is a similar skill in a couple of streams on the app – this is because sometimes what your baby does brings together aspects of their development. Reaching is amazing and really shows how your baby’s skills link together!
Jump right in – the learning potential of a puddle!
Are you the parent that cringes as you see your toddler approach the muddy, boggy puddle? Or are you the one who races past to get in there first? There is a universal truth, however, that many children love a puddle!
The good news for your toddler puddle plunger is that it:
• Encourages exploration and experimentation
• Develops gross motor skills and muscle tone
• Gives experience of cause and effect
• Encourages the development of language
• Supports sensory integration (using all of the senses together)
• Enhances understanding of the changes in the world around them
• Lowers stress levels
• Boosts the immune system
So, get your waterproofs on and find a puddle today!
How big am I? Your toddler and scale errors
You might notice your toddler make ‘scale errors’, for example, they try to sit on a chair that is obviously too small for them or get into a toy car! Not all children do this, but if you notice these types of misjudgements, it’s part of your toddler beginning to understand the world.
Why does your toddler think they can sit on a doll’s chair?
Tickling - exploring force and learning about people through tickling games
Love it or loathe it – your toddler might be starting to have a go at tickling other people now. They might not quite get it right, but they’ll learn a lot as they give you a tickle.
Tickling is linked to sensory and social development
