During the first five years of a child’s life, their brain develops at the most rapid rate. Early education plays a vital role in shaping a child’s personality, behaviour, abilities and productivity. Therefore, over 12,737 service providers in Australia offer preschool programs for children aged 3 to 6 years. You can enrol your child to an early education centre from 1 to 6 years. However, learning starts at home first, and you must do your best to engage them. There are several activities you can do with them indoors or outdoors. Here are five of the best activities for early child development that you must do with your kid.
- Movement Activities at Playgrounds
Give your child the freedom to explore the world around them by engaging them in movement activities at playgrounds. Teach your kids to hopscotch, leapfrog, balance on beams, overcome obstacles and play catch & throw games. Additionally, encourage your children to bend, run, stretch, grab, jump, and climb the various structures available at the playground.
- Groove To Music
Research shows music has a positive effect on children and aids brain development. Thus, it would help if you partook in music activities with your kid. Start by singing and teaching nursery rhymes and poems to your child. It is a great way to prepare them for kindergarten as well. Furthermore, you can sing songs, perform karaoke, play musical instruments, make sounds with your body, play music-based games etc. Performing musical activities with your kid is also beneficial for improving their vocabulary, memory, listening skills, auditory senses, rhythm etc.
- Creative Art
Most kids love doodling, painting, crafting and other art-based activities. It gives them an outlet for their imagination, creativity and self-expression. Thus, you can draw on paper or a board with crayons, markers, pens, chalk and more. Encourage your kids to finger paint, glue stamps, brush paint etc. Additionally, you must do activities that involve pasting, tearing, collaging and constructing various art.
- Reading
Reading is the best skill you can teach your child from a young age. They don’t have to go to school to learn to read and then enjoy a book. You can lay the foundation by reading them bedtime stories. Show them the books, especially if they have pictures. Additionally, get children’s books with text in large fonts and re-read books to help familiarise your kids with the words, images and stories. If your child shows an interest in reading, bring them different books to read as a reward when they finish a book.
- Engage in Sand & Water Play
One of the best ways to teach your kids about textures and help them understand different elements. You can take your kids to the beach for sand & water play. However, you can easily do this at home by getting sand and beach toys in the garden or a playpen. Just make sure you’re the weather is sunny. Sand & water play is known to improve motor skills and speech and communication skills. Additionally, encourages them to be creative while being playful.
- Free Play
Nothing beats good old free play that your kid partakes in without having you around. Free play can include almost anything that interests your child. For example, if your child is running between you and your partner, taping both of you before running off, it is free play. To encourage free play, give your child space and opportunities. They can play dress up, learn structures games, build blocks/lego, remember things, and do much more.
Make Your Kids Early Childhood Fun & Full of Learning
Kids love to have fun and be entertained by different things. Their brains are limitless, which is why you must give them every opportunity you can to teach your kids new skills while remaining entertaining. You can use the six activities mentioned above to help with the early development of your kid’s brain and body. Additionally, consider enrolling them in an early childhood education centre in Australia to give them better chances for creative playing and social interaction. Your child can learn a lot from you and the preschool they go to, which is why keeping these two things in their life is crucial.
