Do you need some educational games for your 1-year-old? His development can be aided by these activities you can do at home, which will help him reach significant milestones.
According to Laura Phillips, PsyD, ABPdN, clinical neuropsychologist at the Learning and Development Center for the Child Mind Institute, a child experiences a great deal of growth and development throughout the first 12 months of life.
According to Phillips, by the end of the first year, toddlers are able to pull themselves up to stand, cruise, possibly take a few steps on their own, pick up small objects with their pincer grasps, bang objects together, take items out of containers, flick switches, turn knobs, and imitate writing. Additionally, one-year-olds pay more attention to language, and they may reply to simple commands by waving and babbling.
Because they are so curious, early toddlers learn about the world by playing and exploring. Check out these six activities for 1-year-olds that will motivate them to achieve developmental milestones in both their physical and cognitive abilities. They also give people a chance to converse while learning new words and grammar.
We are aware that meaningful play with a caring adult is the best way for children to learn these ideas as opposed to other, more meaningless, decontextualized methods like using apps or even flashing toys, adds Phillips. These projects are also fantastic chances for your kid to receive your whole attention, which helps them feel like they matter.
1. Finger Painting
Finger painting helps the development of fine motor skills, according to Phillips. Shaving cream offers a new tactile sensation for your youngster, but non-toxic paint also provides a sensory element. Have your youngster paint on a wipeable surface, such as a high chair tray, baking sheet, or the plastic top of a storage container, to lessen the mess. In addition, you can place your kid in the bathtub, tape paper to the kitchen table, or place a washable tarp over his head. Simply make sure you have plenty of towels or wipes on hand!
2. Painting with Water
You believe your infant can handle a paintbrush. Encourage him to draw with water to mimic scribbling! Your one-year-old will still develop her fine motor skills while you won’t have to worry about the unavoidable mess that comes with using paints. Here’s how to configure it: Give your child a paintbrush that is easy for them to hold and a cup that is filled with water. Let him sketch on the sidewalk, construction paper, or any other surface. Simply re-dunk the brush in the water cup once it has dried up.
3. Drawing with Sidewalk Chalk
Get outside with some sidewalk chalk while it’s lovely out! It develops inventiveness, colour awareness, and visual judgement in addition to fine motor skills and small muscle control. Save this practise for when your child is older if you notice that he would sooner gnaw on chalk than draw.
4. Stringing Beads
As long as the beads aren’t too little to pose a choking risk, your 1-year-old can string beads on a thick lanyard or pipe cleaners. (If you’re concerned about choking, you may also use spaghetti or O-shaped rice cereal.) According to Phillips, stringing beads improves hand-eye coordination as well as fine motor dexterity and coordination. This activity, which calls for a lot of fine motor skills, may cause your youngster to become irritated, but encourage him to keep working. According to Phillips, when you show someone that you believe in their capacity to succeed, it helps them feel more confident about themselves. He gains a sense of pride and achievement after he achieves success.
5. Making Stamp Art
Phillips advises using sponges that have been sliced into various shapes as stamps. Additionally, you can gather objects like wine crafts or wooden blocks to dip in kid-friendly paint. According to Philips, this easy stamp activity for a 1-year-old offers a chance to discuss shapes, colours, sizes, and numbers. Additionally, it helps your child’s fine motor abilities, provides a sensory experience, and teaches them about cause-and-effect relationships.
6. Exploring Homemade Play Dough
Make some homemade play dough using materials from your cupboard; involve your child in the mixing process. Give your 1-year-old the play dough and let him explore. By merely moving it, he will gain fine motor abilities. You can also show children how to play by shaping the play dough into various shapes, such as circles, logs, flattened surfaces, halves, etc. By imitating you, your youngster will pick up communication and imitation abilities.
Read more: How to Teach Any Child to Draw