By Sharon Rose
Outdoor playdates hold some of the best learning experiences and are perfect for your toddler to release some energy. The spring weather will give you lots of opportunities for outdoor play. Toddlers need lots of large muscle exercise. Getting outdoors is a great way for parents to get some exercise too. If your backyard is not equipped with all you need, find a city park you like. For both spots, you and parents you partner with can create experiences with sandbox, wagon rides, bike rides, slides, and swings. Swinging for children is gleeful! You can expect to hear the high pitched sound of Whee!!! It is a play activity that allows your child to overcome fear to enjoy play and to try many other new experiences. This is so necessary to their growth and development. For most children, to go up in the air in a swing will become a favorite play activity. It may be scary at first, so expect this. Acknowledge to your child that it is only natural for them to feel this way. Soothingly, talk your child through it, that you will keep them safe. For safety, a child aged 1 to 3 years old should only use an outdoor swing that has a seat with a back to it. Children younger than 1 year old are more safe in an indoor baby swing that you can use outdoors when weather permits.
Another fun learning activity is gardening. You can do gardening year round. Depending on the season, use fresh or pre-made paper flowers, or plant beans and seeds in a cup or small clay planter. An archaeological dig for fossils, in a sandbox, with pre-made fossils presents an adventurous learning possibility, as well. Talk to your 3 or 4 year old about what fossils and an archaeologist are. Most boys and girls this age are fascinated by dinosaurs, though some may be a little frightened at first. Boys especially will love dinosaur play early on. Parents will find that dinosaurs are everywhere in the world of child-play. You will enjoy sharing playdates with your toddler and a few friends. There may be some tears with new experiences, but the laughter will come, making great memories for your child and for you.
You may have a future archaeologist! Interactive play in your backyard with sand and play dinosaur bones can be lots of fun for your toddler. They love to dig in the dirt to see what they can discover.
With your help, your toddler will enjoy watering plants in your garden with a watering can.
Another fun learning activity is gardening. You can do gardening year round. Depending on the season, use fresh or pre-made paper flowers, or plant beans and seeds in a cup or small clay planter. An archaeological dig for fossils, in a sandbox, with pre-made fossils presents an adventurous learning possibility, as well. Talk to your 3 or 4 year old about what fossils and an archaeologist are. Most boys and girls this age are fascinated by dinosaurs, though some may be a little frightened at first. Boys especially will love dinosaur play early on. Parents will find that dinosaurs are everywhere in the world of child-play. You will enjoy sharing playdates with your toddler and a few friends. There may be some tears with new experiences, but the laughter will come, making great memories for your child and for you.
With your help, your toddler will enjoy watering plants in your garden with a watering can.
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| When your toddler does gardening this is also an opportunity to play in the dirt. Playing in dirt will allow them to learn more about nature. "Hey Mom! Time for me to wash my hands!" |
Copyright, Outdoor Playdates for Toddlers, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 16, 2018. All rights reserved.
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