Find out more about the link between maths and play
We know play is fantastic for learning as well as being enjoyable and engaging. What’s really fascinating (we think) is that sometimes researchers find connections between play and children’s learning that maybe don’t seem very obvious at first (and even they can’t always explain the connection!).
Professor of Early Years Education at the University of Stavanger, Elin Reikeras, gathered observations of 1,088 toddlers during a three-month period, looking specifically at their maths and play skills.[1]
Questions, questions, questions – why so many?
Questions are a sure sign that your toddler’s language and cognitive skills are growing. They’re making loads of connections in their brain and wanting to discover more about the world around them. Questions are very simply your toddler wanting to gather information.[1]
Research tells us that there are three types of question[2,3]
Say my name, say my name, I might know you’re trying to get my attention
As adults, we often zone in and out – sometimes actively choosing to just to get a few more seconds of peace and quiet (shhh – don’t tell anyone!). At other times, we think we hear everything that’s said to us, but we might be focused on something else and discover that someone has been talking and we simply haven’t heard them.
In your toddler's case, there may be times when you think they're ignoring you deliberately, but more often than not, they will just be engrossed in what they're doing and genuinely don't hear you. Your toddler is learning to be able to stop what they're doing and switch their attention to listen and focus on what you are saying. And this is a skill that takes time to master.
Your conversations about stories could get even more exciting when your toddler really understands doing words!
Have you noticed that your toddler is beginning to understand action words a bit more? When you ask them to run with you, they might do so, or you might see them follow the actions in some of their favourite rhymes and songs. Being able to spot and join in with action words can help jazz up daily activities and bring your toddler a great deal of enjoyment, especially during story times!
Take time to chat with your toddler about the ‘doing’ words you see and read about.
Interactive books to give your toddler’s fine motor skills a workout
Movement is essential for your toddler’s fine motor muscles. They will only be able to strengthen and learn to control the small muscles in their fingers, hands and wrists by doing actions and making movements which use them, and for toddlers the whole world is an opportunity to do so. It’s even possible to sneak some fine motor development into more restful moments like story time, and these three interactive story books make it fun for all of you to get involved!
Your toddler will be developing their fine motor skills as they eat, as they use play dough or colour in, as they position toys to play and as they get dressed, but sometimes it can all feel a bit much and a cosy cuddle with a story is just what you both need.
Why is your toddler holding a pencil so awkwardly?
You probably don’t think much about how you hold a pencil – you just pick one up and start writing. Seeing your toddler master the art of not only gripping a pencil (or crayon, pen or, horror, permanent marker!) but working out how to get it moving highlights just how tricky this process actually is. It can often look awkward or clumsy, which makes it tempting to ‘correct’ them, but when this feeling strikes try to hold yourself back!
There is a reason they are working through this stage of uncomfortable-looking grips, so it’s important for you to know why it’s happening – and how to help them in the best possible way.
Play dough or play don’t? Here’s our advice if it just isn’t for you
Is play dough a 'no no' in your house? Whether it’s the mess, the texture, the way the colours end up all smushed together... there are lots of reasons play dough just doesn’t appeal to some of us, and that is absolutely fine. Toddlers can learn a lot from playing with dough, but there are ways to make it work for you and ensure your toddler is getting the same experiences.
See it as a sensory exploration
Your tiny dancer and the magic of music
For us as adults, music has the power to bring back memories and emotions, and get us moving in a carefree way – often involuntarily! It's the same for your toddler. Along with unlocking a totally joyful expression of movement, music can bring about exciting new feelings and emotions for them. And sharing music and dance with you may plant some shared, never-to-forget moments you both think about whenever you hear a certain tune or song in the years to come.
Music has been in your toddler’s life since they were born – well before they were born, in fact. They’ll have heard a wide variety of music from their toys, on TV, in the car, in shops, and pretty much everywhere! You might sometimes be surprised at some of the songs they know and wonder where they’ve picked them up.
Wave your arms in the air! The invisible mechanics behind it
When we think about waving or moving arms through the air, although it may seem straightforward, your toddler needs to make a complicated, synchronised movement to do this. It’s not until we delve into the magnificence of how our bodies make it happen that we can appreciate every tiny step of progress your toddler’s striving to achieve.
Let’s start with the skeleton, which consists of bones, joints and cartilage, and is the foundation of the body.
How everyday experiences build a foundation for maths and science
If we said your toddler is a scientist, you might wonder what we are talking about – or maybe you see that yourself when you watch them play. Everyday play and routines give your toddler the real experiences that will help them understand the maths and science they will learn in the future.
Get cooking
