5 Activities To Help An Older Toddler Develop A Deeper Sense Of Self
By doing activities that motivate individuality, creativity, identity and purpose, your toddler can continue getting to know and transforming themselves. They can feel in control of self.
1. Make Homemade Books
Encourage your child to make up short stories about things they like. Some topic suggestions: foods I like, objects that are Red, sports I play, animals that I like, or going to the doctor. Parents can assist their children’s spelling by giving them cards that have images and words of objects on them. Also, introduce new words such as author, illustrator, and publisher to your child.
How to make books
Use 3 to 4 pieces of White paper.
Fold all the papers in half and put them together as one.
Provide some markers and pencils for your child.
Staple the outer edge of the papers to make a book.
2. Make Name Tags
Layout different artistic decorative materials for your child to use. First, encourage your child to try writing their name on a folded piece of paper to the best of their abilities. Then they can decorate it with the art materials and glue provided. Parents can offer writing help by using the hand-over-hand technique or by giving a large alphabet stencil.
How to make name tags
Fold a construction paper in half.
Layout art materials such as glue, ribbons, stickers, glitter, feathers, shapes, party decorations, markers, and other art materials.
Place the completed nametag when dry within the home.
3. Look At Photographs
Take some time to look at some photographs with your child; these photos can be baby pictures, pictures of family members, family vacations, or any other interesting images. Please listen to your child as they point out things, share memories, ask questions, or identify things in the photos.
Games that can be incorporated while looking at photos
I Spy.
Guess Who?
Identifying Colors.
Naming Family Members.
Where were we?
4. Explore Different Forms Of Art
Try easel art
Please encourage your child to express themselves through art by painting, drawing, using chalk, and exploring other easel art mediums. An easel can be used within the home or brought outside, and can help your child test out using various tools.
Try out-of-the-box art
Take your child to a street or gallery art show.
Make playdough structures, papier-mache, or pottery with your child.
Take a short trip to different neighborhoods to experience their unique cultural art forms.
Lay out a variety of art decorations and see how creative your child can get.
Do free art expressions using a variety of decorations.
Look at the art books of famous artists.
Artistically use blocks to reconstruct famous buildings.
Try portrait drawing
Look at a few art books of famous portraits with your child. Lay out long construction paper, a few family pictures, a mirror, pencils, and markers for your child.
Try realistic, dramatic play
Doing dramatic play that resembles real life can help your toddler learn how to cope better with similar situations. They can engage in make-believe play and experiment with different roles, utilizing their imagination, dressing up, and having fun. Provide a variety of realistic objects, clothing, and tools similar to things your child uses daily.
5. Daily Book Reading
Provide different picture books throughout the home environment to help encourage independent reading, self-talk, deeper thinking, and learning. Include some books with stories that reflect similar issues your child is going through, along with books that share your child's interests, language, and familiar themes.
Home books should have these things
Colourful, bold pictures.
Repetition and rhymes.
Characters from other ethnicities.
Longer sentences.
Be about six pages long.
Familiar everyday language and objects.
Realistic pictures.
A few new words and images.
Verbs and adjectives.
A few characters that look like your child.