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Toddlers are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. They are growing by leaps and bounds, both physically and intellectually. They are growing and developing so fast, in fact, that it may be difficult to keep up with them. Parents can stimulate their toddler’s intellectual development in a variety of ways, however.
One of the best ways to encourage intellectual growth in your child is to read to her. Of course, you don’t have to wait till she is a toddler to do this. Reading should be a continuation of what you’ve already started when your toddler was just an infant. As she grows, though, you can broaden your child’s library of books.
Toddlers love to look at pictures of other babies and children, so look for books with plenty of happy faces. Animals are almost always a source of fascination to small children, and the bigger variety of picture books you have with animals in them the better.
Don’t just offer your toddler books with children and animals, though. Although your child was basically attracted to books colored with black, white, or red images as an infant, her taste in colors has definitely expanded now. You should choose books with bright, colorful images. Most toddlers love books that have lots of images on each page. She will pay close attention as you point each object out and tell her what it is. This is a wonderful learning experience for your child. You are stimulating her curiosity and enhancing her vocabulary. Don’t be surprised if one day she repeats your words back to you!
Another way to stimulate your toddler’s intellectual development is to expose her to many different activities and places. Although these activities and places may seem ordinary and routine to you, to your toddler they signify adventure. Yes, it might be easier to leave your little one at home with your spouse or with grandma, but then she’d miss out on seeing the colorful displays in your local supermarket.
Take her to the park or simply walk around your yard and point out the different plants, insects, and birds that you see. If you have older children who are involved in extracurricular activities, such as sports and music, take your baby to their practices, games, and performances. Be on the lookout for local cultural activities that are in your area. Get in the habit of taking him to festivals, art exhibits, and even drama productions. Even if you can’t stay for the whole production because your bundle of energy has had enough, stay for a little while just to expose your child to something new.
You can teach your child a love of learning by example. Although your toddler will take up a lot of your attention, you can still sit quietly while she plays nearby and read a newspaper or magazine. She may become curious and want to see what you are reading, or she may want to copy you by sitting down with her own magazine or book and trying to read also.
Sing lots of songs with your child. It’s alright if you sing the same five or six songs every time. Children love repetition, and the repetitive sounds will help your child learn to speak new words. In no time at all, she’ll be singing along with you!
Finally, if your toddler attends a daycare or preschool facility, make sure that there are plenty of stimulating activities and lots of one-on-one time between him and his teacher. Don’t be afraid to ask for a daily schedule, and examine the books and other hands-on activities that your child has access to. You can help your child grow intellectually, and there isn’t any reason why you shouldn’t have fun together at the same time.
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