As parents, we know that our role in supporting our child’s development, learning, and growth in the early years is crucial. And research supports this, too. But we also know how hard it can be to figure out what to do with your kids to help them in all the right ways. Especially if you’re not a crafty, creative Pinterest-style Mom who can throw together a sensory bin like it’s second nature. (Raising my hand here!)
Luckily, a lot of the support you should be trying to provide your kids with can come through simple, easy-to-play, yet engaging games and activities. And you don’t have to scour Pinterest to find them. Online learning for toddlers is a thing, now.
A new online resource: Play&Learn
We were thrilled to partner up with McMaster University on this post, because it’s all about making a parent’s life easier, helping your kids thrive and it’s education-based. Experts in child development at McMaster University and The University of Toronto have put together this awesome new online resource called Play&Learn, where you’ll find 40 games and activities, divided up by age range (toddler, preschooler, kindergarten) and by types of game.
Thinking & Learning, Social & Emotional, Movement, and Language
Want to work on your toddler’s language? Just head to that section on the site for ideas and inspiration. They’ve also got games and activities in the Thinking & Learning, Social & Emotional, and Movement categories as well.
The activities and online games for kids are all expert-reviewed, which means they’re quality activities focused in the right areas for kids from as young as 18 months up to 6-years-old.
Prep for kindergarten: Social & emotional development
I have a daughter heading to kindergarten next year, so I’m all about working on her social and emotional development now to help her with the big change coming. I love that we can play everything from make believe to making faces (which are so simple but so helpful) to putting together a “My Feelings” book.
My favourite part is that most of the kids’ activities can be completed in less than 15 minutes and require little equipment to get started. Again, I’m not the craftiest of moms, so if it’s simple, I’m sold.
Actually, my most favourite part is that I get to spend quality time and play with my kids, without feeling like I’m at a complete loss about what to do to help them. As the experts say, a little play goes a long way.
Check out all the activities and games here: playandlearn.healthhq.ca
Thanks to McMaster University for letting us (and our readers) know about this great new resource! We partnered with McMaster University for this post, but the thoughts and opinions are our own.
Tagged under: child development,Learning,kids games,growth,games for kids,educational games for kids,toddlers games
Category: family-life
