Did you know your child\u2019s brain develops more in the first three years of life than at any other time? That\u2019s a lot of growing! The good news is that one of the best ways for you to support your child\u2019s development is actually quite simple and fun for both of you.<\/p>\n
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On the surface, play may seem like it\u2019s all about having fun, but it\u2019s far more than that for babies and toddlers. It\u2019s about learning and building important life skills \u2013 from problem solving to expressing ideas \u2013 and strengthening the bond between you both. After all, you are your child\u2019s first teacher and playmate! We teamed up with the LEGO Foundation to explore the science behind how you can help your child grow and develop during these playful interactions.<\/p>\n
When they’re building a tower, they’re practicing physical skills<\/p>\n
Stacking objects helps them to understand movement and space through practicing sensory-motor skills and developing spatial understanding. This skillset is important for nurturing a healthy, active body. Engage with your child by noticing what they are building, making sounds and facial expressions, and taking turns adding objects to the structure \u2013 see how high you can go!<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re playing hide-and-go-seek with objects together, they’re building cognitive skills<\/p>\n
Working on a challenging (but fun!) task like hiding and finding household objects helps your child to practice concentration, problem solving and flexible thinking. They’re learning to tackle complex tasks and build effective strategies to overcome obstacles. If your child seems frustrated at any point, provide helpful hints but let them reach the solution on their own.<\/p>\n
When they’re making silly sounds, they’re building social skills<\/p>\n
Little ones naturally reach out for interaction through babbling, facial expressions and gestures. Paying attention to your child, naming what they are doing, and responding by adapting your gaze, voice and movement helps to build and strengthen neural connections in their brain that support the development of communication and social skills. This kind of give and take also strengthens the bond between you and your child.<\/p>\n
When they sing and dance, they’re building emotional skills<\/p>\n
Understanding, managing and expressing emotions by building self-awareness and handling impulses is vital to your child\u2019s emotional development and lifelong well-being. Singing and dancing is a great way to express and let out feelings! Make it a bonding activity by singing or dancing along.<\/p>\n
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When they draw from their imagination, they’re building creative skills<\/p>\n
When your little one is sitting down and drawing their own world on paper, they are expressing their ideas and transforming them into reality. Once they’re finished, have them walk you through the world they’ve created and ask questions about what you see.<\/p>\n
The good news is that children don’t need expensive toys to play and learn. In fact, you probably have at home all the things you need to create a fun and engaging game with your baby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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