Teaching 1-year-old! If you’re a mother like me, you constantly worry about whether or not you’re doing enough to help your child learn and grow. The guilt of motherhood is usual and can sometimes be overwhelming.
We always feel like we could be doing more, whether feeding our children healthier foods, spending more time with them, or teaching them new skills.
Unfortunately, finding the time and energy to devote to our children’s development between work, household chores, meal prep, extracurricular activities, and maintaining a healthy relationship with our spouse can be challenging.
As a mother to a 24-month-old, I constantly question what I should teach her next. Should she already be learning colors, numbers, and the alphabet? Is she ready to start writing, coloring, or building block towers?
But I know most moms experience the same anxieties and doubts about their parenting abilities. It’s important to remember that while there’s always more we could be doing, we’re doing our best with our resources. So don’t be too hard on yourself, mom!
Essential Things To Teach Your 1-Year-Old At An Early Age
Children at an early age can vary significantly in their development progress, so it’s important to be mindful of your child’s level of development.
To ensure that your child is learning, here are some everyday activities that are easy enough to do:
Everyday New Words
Children in their early years have the incredible ability to absorb new words like a sponge.
Research shows that children learn the majority of their vocabulary by the time they reach the age of six. During this time, they are constantly exposed to new words and concepts through interactions with adults and their environment.
Here are some everyday things you can do to make your little one learn while playing:
1. Teaching Body Parts:
There are several ways to teach your children about body parts. You can sing the rhyme “Head, Shoulder, Knees and toes”; children usually love to do actions with this rhyme. Teach them body parts by pointing them out on their own body, a stuffed toy, or your own.
2. Basic Manners:
Teaching basic manners to little ones can be a fun and playful experience for you and the kids. You can incorporate manners into games and activities that will engage their young minds and help them learn in a fun and interactive way.
- “Please, and Thank You”
One great way is to start saying it yourself every time you want something from them, say “please”, can I have the bowl, please? And say “thank” you for the small things; they do something for you or bring something to you.
You can also play a game of “Please and Thank You”. In this game, you can ask the kids to say “please” before they ask for something and “thank you” after they receive it. You can make it a competition to see whole can say “please” and “thank you” the most throughout the day.
- Table Manners
During meals, encourage the kids to use utensils and napkins appropriately and say “excuse me” for a burb or if they need to leave the table. You can reward them with a sticker or a small treat if they follow good manners.
Modeling good manners yourself is one of the most effective ways to teach preschoolers about manners. Use “please” and “thank you” in your conversations, demonstrate good table manners, and show kindness and respect to others.
Children learn by example, and your actions will speak louder than words.
3. Their Names:
Teaching a toddler their name is essential to their early childhood development. It helps them establish their own identity and understand their place in the world.
Learning their name also helps toddlers communicate with others, as they can use their names to introduce themselves and respond when others call them.
A mother can play a crucial role in helping her child learn their name. Here are some tips to help:
- Repetition: Repeating the child’s name will help them to remember it. When speaking to your child, use their name often, and point to yourself or others when saying their name.
- Picture/ Photo: Show them their photograph and point them out with their name. Ask the question, “who’s in the photo? You can also create name tags or labels with their name on them.
- Songs and rhymes: Use songs and rhymes that incorporate your child’s name. Sing or recite these songs frequently with your child to familiarize them with their name.
- Games: Play games that involve saying the child’s name, such as “I Spy,” where you describe an object that begins with the same letter as their name, or “Simon Says,” where you give instructions that include the child’s name.
- Positive reinforcement: Praise your child when they respond to their name or recognize it. Celebrate their progress and encourage them to continue learning.
Every child learns at their own pace, so don’t worry if your toddler takes a little longer to learn their name. Keep practicing, and soon enough, they will proudly say their name!
4. Sharing is Caring:
Teaching toddlers the importance of sharing is an essential life skill that will help them develop strong relationships with others.
Sharing can be a challenging concept for toddlers to grasp, but with guidance from parents, they can learn to understand the value of sharing with others.
When playing with toys or sharing with others, encourage the kids to take turns and share with their friends. Use phrases like “sharing is caring” and “let’s take turns” to emphasize the importance of being considerate and kind to others.
Here are some ways a mother can help her child learn to share:
- Praise good behavior: Encourage your child when they share or take turns. Praise their good behavior, and let them know you are proud of them for being kind to others.
- Use positive reinforcement: Offer praise and rewards for sharing, such as stickers or extra playtime. This will help your child associate sharing with positive experiences and encourage them to continue sharing.
- Practice sharing: Use playtime as an opportunity to teach sharing. Please encourage your child to share their toys with siblings or friends and help them understand the joy of giving to others.
Sharing is a learned behavior, and it takes time for toddlers to understand the concept fully. Be patient with your child, and offer guidance and support as they learn.
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5. Numbers and Counting
Counting is an essential skill for toddlers to learn and helps them understand numbers, size, and quantity.
Here are a few ways a mother can teach her child to count:
- Introduce Counting Early: The earlier the child is introduced to counting, the better. You can start by counting your child’s fingers and toes or toys. Point to each object and count it aloud, encouraging your child to do the same.
- Flashcards: Use visual aids such as number charts, number blocks, or flashcards to help your child understand the concept of counting. You can also use videos and songs that teach counting to make it more fun and interactive.
- Make it a Game: Turn counting into a game by asking your child to count how many objects they see or how many steps they take. You can also create a scavenger hunt where your child has to find and count things around the house.
- Practice Regularly: Practice regularly counting with your child. You can do this while cooking, walking, or playing together. The more your child practices, the better they will become at counting.
- Praise and Encourage: Praise and encourage your child when they count correctly. This will boost their confidence and make them more willing to learn and practice.
6. Animal Names:
Leaning animal names and sounds to a toddler can be a fun and engaging activity for the child and the mother.
Here are some tips to help make the learning process enjoyable:
- Play animal sounds: You can find animal sounds online or use a toy that makes animal sounds. Play the sound and ask your child to guess which animal it is. Then, show them a picture or toy of the animal.
- Animal charades: Act out an animal, have your child guess which animal you are pretending to be, and ask them to make the animal sound too.
- Animal flashcards: Use pictures of animals and their names to help your child learn to identify each animal.
- Animal songs: Sing songs about animals with your child, such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” or “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Encourage your child to make animal sounds as you sing.
- Animal books: Read books about animals to your child, and point out each animal as you read. Make the animal sounds as you go along.
- Zoo or farm visit: Take your child to a zoo or farm to see the animals in real life.
With patience and creativity, you can help your child develop a love for animals and a fascination with the natural world around them.
6. Vehicles:
Teaching primary vehicle names to a toddler can be a fun and interactive activity for both the child and the mother. Here are some tips to help make the learning process enjoyable:
- Play with toy vehicles: Encourage your child to play with toy cars, trucks, and airplanes. Point out each vehicle and its name as they play.
- Vehicle flashcards: Use pictures of vehicles and their names to help your child learn to identify each car.
- Vehicle songs: Sing about vehicles with your child, such as “The Wheels on the Bus” or “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”. Encourage your child to make the sound of each vehicle as you sing.
- Vehicle books: Read books about vehicles to your child, and point out each vehicle as you read. Make the sound of each vehicle as you go along.
- Vehicle hunt: While going outside with your child, point out each vehicle you see and ask your child to identify it by name.
- Vehicle coloring: Let your child draw or paint their favorite vehicles, and ask them what they have drew.
7. Colors and Shapes:
Teaching colors and shapes can be a fun and exciting activity for the child and the mother. With creativity, you can help your child develop a love for colors and a fascination with art and creativity.
Here are some tips to help make the learning process enjoyable:
- Color hunt: Go on a color hunt with your child. Point out objects of different colors and ask your child to name the color. For example, point to a red apple and ask, “What color is the apple?”
- Color sorting: Use different colored toys or objects and ask your child to sort them by color.
- Color flashcards: Use flashcards with pictures of different colors to help your child learn to identify each color.
- Color songs: Sing songs about colors with your child, such as “Red, Yellow, and Blue” or “The Color Song”. Encourage your child to say the name of each color as you sing.
- Color art: Create art with your child using different colors. Please encourage your child to draw or paint using their favorite colors and label each color.
- Color books: Read books about colors to your child, and point out each color as you read. Encourage your child to say the name of each color as you go along.
8. Favorite Foods:
Expressing their favorite food can be fun and tasty for your little ones.
Here are some tips to help make the learning process enjoyable:
- Food play: Encourage your child to play with plastic food toys and ask them to point out their favorite food. For example, ask, “Which is your favorite fruit?”
- Food hunt: Go on a food hunt with your child. Point out different foods and ask your child to name their favorite. For example, point to a banana and ask, “Do you like bananas?”
- Food art: Create food art with your child using colorful fruits and vegetables. Ask your child to name each food as they create their masterpiece.
- Food songs: Sing songs about food with your child, such as “Apples and Bananas” or “The Fruit Song”. Encourage your child to say the name of each fruit as you sing.
- Food books: Read books about different foods to your child, and point out each food as you read. Encourage your child to say the name of each food as you go along.
- Food taste testing: Try different foods with your child and ask them to name their favorite. For example, have a taste test with other fruits and ask your child to pick their favorite.
9. Express Their Needs:
Teaching your 1-year-old/toddler to express their needs is an essential part of their development, and it can be a fun and exciting process too!
Here are some easy-to-learn words that you can teach your little ones:
- Yes: “I agree” or “I want that”. You can encourage your child to nod or say “yes” when they want something.
- No: “I don’t want that” or “I don’t agree”. You can encourage your child to shake their head or say “no” when they don’t want something.
- More: When your child is enjoying something and want more of it, they can say “more, please” or use sign language to make the sign for “more.”
- Need: This is a strong word that can help your child express when something is really important to them. Encourage them to say “I need help” or “I need a hug” when they need something.
- Want: This word is helpful when your child desires something, like a toy or a snack. They can say, “I want that” or “I want some”.
- Give me: When your child wants you to hand them something, they can say “give me” or “please give me.”
- PeePee: This is a gentle word that your child can use to let you know they need to use the bathroom. Encourage them to say” peepee” or use sign language to make the sign for “toilet”.
Learning to express their needs and wants is a gradual process for toddlers, so be patient and gentle with them.
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10. Independence:
Little kids are so curious and want to try doing everything by themselves. Please encourage your child to try doing things independently, and offer praise and support when they succeed. It’s important to let them take on appropriate tasks for their age and ability and be patient and understanding when they make mistakes.
Let’s start with some easy-peasy tasks. Ask them whether they want to put on your socks all by themselves. And let them try, and you may help them if needed. Let them keep their plates or bowl in the sink after snacking.
Promoting independence can help your child build confidence, self-esteem, and essential life skills.
So, let your little ones become superheroes.
11. Explaining What Are They Doing:
When playing with your child, ask them what they’re doing. Please encourage them to say it aloud and praise them when they do. You can even make a game out of it. Take turns saying what you’re doing and see who can create the silliest or most creative description.
Learning how to express what they are doing for your child is an important part of language development, and it can be a lot of fun too.
12. Reading Books:
Reading to your child is a great way to promote a love of books and reading. Make it a particular time of the day when you can cuddle up and enjoy a good story together. You can even let your child pick the books they want to read. And remember to praise and encourage them as they learn and grow their reading skills.
In the beginning, some children might have less attention span that might last for 2 to 3 pages, but that’s fine, and gradually it will improve.
Many kinds of books are suitable for babies and young children. Here are a few options:
- Board Books: Boards books often have simple pictures and text, making them perfect for young children. These books are sturdy with thick pages that are easy for little hands to turn pages.
- Picture Books: Picture books have more detailed illustrations and often tell a story. They may have more text than board books, but they still have plenty of pictures to hold a child’s attention.
- Interactive Books: Interactive books have features that children can touch, such as lifting flaps, pop-ups, or textures. These books are great for engaging children and encouraging them to explore.
- Rhyming Books: Rhyming books have text that rhymes, which can help children develop language and literacy skills. They are often fun to read aloud and help children learn new words and concepts.
- Wordless Books: Wordless books have illustrations but no text. They encourage children to tell their stories based on pictures, which can help with language development and creativity. Click here to checkout this post, I found it very helpful in selection of board books.
Books that are good for babies and young children should have bright, engaging illustrations, simple text, and be age-appropriate.
Note:
Repetition is key for language development in young children.
Repeating these words and phrases consistently and frequently throughout the day, even during everyday activities like changing diapers or snuggling in bed, is essential.
Try to dedicate at least 30 minutes to your toddler without any distractions for anything they are interested in playing. It could be anything with blocks, coloring, drawing, or reading a book with them. Trust me; your child will love and appreciate this time.
I hope these tips help you and your little one. Have fun learning and growing together.