Cognitive skills are the fundamental mental abilities used for thinking, studying and learning. It comes with a wide variety of mental processes essential in thinking, memory recall, and logic and reasoning abilities. Parents play a key role in promoting cognitive abilities in kids. Toddlers need a lot of love and nurturing so that they are able to achieve developmental tasks. However, parents need to be certain that as a baby shows curiosity in his environment, he can do so in a safe manner.
Children throughout this stage are really eager to discover their surroundings. Parents need to provide the appropriate stimulation, so that a kid can develop his cognitive abilities. Play is a big aspect of a toddler’s life. Therefore, supplying him age-appropriate toys are vital for his reasoning, thinking and memory skills. Providing him the proper toys is vital because if a toy is too advanced, it may only frustrate a toddler. Excellent toys include building blocks, sorting and pounding toys, thick-paged picture books, and art materials. Choose pencils and crayons suited for small hands or for a toddler’s fisted grip. Moving toys are also recommended since it encourages eye–hand coordination.
Since establishing routines are perfect for this age, try to spend time with your little one in doing a particular activity each day. The activity must be brief but stimulating because toddlers may not be able to sit for long durations of time. An example is by allowing your child to scribble on paper with crayons or pencil. It is possible to also help him out in coloring a basic pattern on a coloring book. Constantly praise your child for his work, and offer reassurance whenever he feels frustrated. Try to modify the activity as time passes so that your child will not grow tired of doing it.
Reading to the little one is also an excellent activity. Research has shown that kids, whose mothers read to them daily, had better language comprehension, higher cognitive scores, and much more expressive vocabularies. Other activities which may increase your kid’s cognitive skills are singing songs, and taking part in pretend games. Play activities that involve classifying items and recognizing patterns are additionally advisable.
Kids learn quickly particularly if they are given all the opportunities to explore. Mothers and fathers can do a lot in order to help a baby develop the skills needed through this stage. Toys need not be expensive, in order for it to be educational. Sometimes the most vital thing for parents to do is to devote time with the kid. Try to make every bonding moment a learning activity as well.
The progress and advancement of every kid is different. Some children may be advanced although other individuals may have a slow start. Parents must not push their young children too hard, as to what they are capable of doing. Though it may be good to have learning activities, too much stimulation may also not help a child at all. Children are wired differently, and parents need to be supportive, as they accomplish tasks in their own ways.
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