Embracing the curiosity approach can be a wonderful way to enhance your toddler’s play and learning experiences. It’s all about utilising everyday items around your home and allowing your child’s imagination to soar.
To support the curiosity approach at home, you don’t need fancy toys. Everyday items around your home, like kitchen utensils or glass containers, work wonders. It’s all about offering real, tangible experiences to the little ones. Let them experiment and decide how they want to play, always ensuring they’re safe under your watchful eye.
Boost their imagination by thinking outside the toy box. A garage toy is just a garage, but a cardboard box? It could be anything – a house, a car park, even an underground car wash! The possibilities are endless when you support the curiosity approach at home.
A few examples of tools needed and activities you can play together
- Hold a teddy tea party using real ceramic plates and mugs. Serve real biscuits or fruits instead of using plastic ones. Let their favourite teddies join them for imaginative play! Allow the child to pour their own drinks or cereal, allow the mess to happen and encourage them to clean it up and say, “It’s ok” Mess is ok. We will try again. They will feel empowered like they are being independent. Why not involve them in preparing the table and giving them responsibilities?
- Transform a dinner tray into a fun tuff tray. Fill it with garden soil, gather leaves together, and let them add their dinosaurs or animals. It’s a fantastic way to introduce new words and spark conversations. Use various paint brushes, both in size and shape. These can be used for tactile play with babies or for creative painting sessions with toddlers..
- For older kids, introduce a plank of wood, hammer, and nails. With safety goggles and gloves, discuss and demonstrate risks. This helps build coordination, patience, and awareness.
- Collect leaves and flowers on a walk, then freeze them in water and crack the ice with a tool or pour warm water over them and watch it melt to retrieve your flowers. You could do this with their favourite toys too that are waterproof, of course.
- Place an item on paper and allow the child to draw around the shape of the shadow. Discuss the light and shadow concept- adapt to your hand and begin counting
supervise the child and allow them to cut up their own fruit or prepare their snacks using a kitchen knife. - Old jewellery you no longer use, big thick chunky bracelets- pass them on to your child for role-playing. They will feel like a little adult whilst walking around in your heels and handbag. Give them the real deal.
- Create a fun nature checklist together. During park visits, tick off the animals or items you spot. It’s an engaging way to connect with nature.
- Upcycle an empty shoe box into a bug hotel for your garden’s tiny critters. This allows children to enhance their play by continuously adding or adjusting to it.
- Got spare big boxes? Transform them! Whether it’s a rocket, car, or house, ask your child, ‘What can we make with this box?’ and let the creativity flow.”
- Use a Spoon with pots & pans to create music together and make up silly songs and connect, listen to each other, and make rhythms.
- A bowl of warm soapy water outside with jugs, cups and utensils to discover different pouring skills. Discuss half, full, empty or more/less this supports their math skills.
Incorporating the curiosity approach into play isn’t just a trend; it’s a philosophy we ardently follow at Angels By Day. We truly believe in the power of learning through play and understanding its pivotal role in shaping young minds. If you’re seeking a nurturing environment where your child can thrive, grow, and explore the world around them, look no further.
At Angels By Day, we’re more than just a nursery; we’re a haven of exploration, creativity, and holistic development. Contact us today, and let’s ensure your child experiences the best in play-based learning.