🧒 Toddler (24-36 months)
Asking "Why?"
Introduction
This is the age of "Why?" - and every "why" is an invitation to build their brain. Your toddler isn't trying to annoy you; they're genuinely trying to understand the world.
What's Happening
- Vocabulary explodes (200 → 1000+ words)
- Imagination and pretend play emerge
- "Why?" becomes favorite word
- Stronger sense of self ("I do it myself!")
- Beginning to play WITH other children
- Big emotions, developing regulation
Activities
Language & Stories
1. "Tell Me About It"
What: Ask open-ended questions about their experiences
Why it matters: Builds narrative skills and memory
How: "What did you do at the park?" (Wait. They need time to form thoughts.)
2. "Story Extension"
What: After reading, ask "what if" questions
Why it matters: Develops imagination and prediction
How: "What if the caterpillar ate pizza instead? What would happen?"
3. "Silly Songs"
What: Change words in familiar songs
Why it matters: Builds phonological awareness (hearing word parts)
How: "Twinkle twinkle little... banana?" (wait for giggles and correction)
Math Thinking
1. "Counting with Purpose"
What: Count things that matter to them
Why it matters: Counting becomes meaningful, not just reciting
How: "How many crackers do you want? Let's count. 1, 2, 3. Three crackers!"
2. "Pattern Hunt"
What: Find patterns in clothes, tiles, nature
Why it matters: Recognizing patterns is core mathematical thinking
How: "Look at your shirt! Red stripe, blue stripe, red stripe, blue stripe..."
3. "Shape Detective"
What: Hunt for shapes during walks or at home
Why it matters: Geometry understanding through real-world observation
How: "Can you find something round? The wheel is round! What else?"
4. "Comparing Game"
What: Compare sizes, quantities
Why it matters: Foundation for measurement and number sense
How: "Who has more blueberries? Let's count. You have 5, I have 3. 5 is more!"
Science & Curiosity
1. "Sink or Float"
What: Test objects in water
Materials: Basin, various household objects
Why it matters: Prediction, testing, observation = scientific method
How: "Will the spoon sink or float? What do you think? Let's find out!"
2. "Nature Collection"
What: Collect leaves, rocks, sticks; sort and examine
Why it matters: Classification and observation skills
How: Bring a bag on walks. Later, sort by color, size, type
3. "What Happens If..."
What: Let them experiment (safely)
Why it matters: Hypothesis testing is how scientists think
How: "What happens if we mix yellow and blue paint?"
Emotional Development
Name emotions frequently: 'You're frustrated because the tower fell.' Children need to hear feeling words to develop emotional vocabulary. You're building their ability to understand and regulate emotions.