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Toddlers are curious little learners with minds ready to absorb knowledge. Engaging them in hands-on activities not only entertains but also stimulates their mental development. These activities provide opportunities for exploration, problem-solving, and cognitive growth. In this blog post, we will explore 13 exciting hands on activities for kindergarten  that can enhance your toddler’s mental development while keeping them entertained and engaged. 

13 Engaging Hands On Activities For Toddlers Mental Development

1. Building blocks
   

   Blocks can possibly claim to be the oldest toys in the world. They are useful for developing experimentation, the ability to form a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis and drawing conclusions from an experiment. This is what scientists call the basic form of scientific thinking. Blocks are also instrumental for kids learning words like over, under, up, down, beside, in, out and others. To keep your little one interested, go for differently colored blocks with various shapes and weights.

2. Sand and water
   

   Simple ingredients like a basin full of sand, a bucket of water and some cups and scoops have the potential to keep your child glued for hours on end. And all throughout the exercise, he will be receiving hands-on experience in textures, weight, volume and concepts of solids and liquids. You could try to pose open-ended questions to him, and let him come up with imaginative answers; they do not have to be correct answers always, as long as he can think on his own.

3. Reverse follow the leader
   

   In this activity, your child is in charge. You just need to follow her lead. If she wants to gambol in the playground, fine. If she decides to play at cooking, so be it. A lot of research points to the fact that toddlers learn more words when they do an activity of their choice rather than being dictated to. On top of this, concentrated attention ensures that your child is making optimum use of time and resources.

   4. Pretend Cooking

   This activity is good for developing both mental faculties as well as motor skills. Young girls will be especially drawn to this activity. Using toy spoons, cups, dishes, cookers and what not, they can cook up a virtual storm. Ask them questions as they are “cooking”, like what they are making and how they are making a particular dish.

   5. Hide and Seek

   Any list would be incomplete without this timeless classic. It is one of the best ways to develop navigation, spatial skills and mapping. It is best done with other children in tow, and the seeker has to construct a layout of the area, and check possible hiding places. Imagination also gets a good work out with this game.

   6. Sensory Bins

   Create sensory bins using various materials such as rice, sand, or water. Add scoops, cups, and different objects for toddlers to explore and manipulate. This activity helps develop their sensory processing skills and fine motor coordination.

   7. Shape Sorting

   Provide toddlers with different shaped objects and corresponding holes or containers. Encourage them to match and sort the shapes, enhancing their cognitive skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.

   8. Puzzles

   Introduce age-appropriate puzzles with larger pieces and simple designs. Puzzles help improve toddlers’ hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and concentration.

   9. Color Matching

   Set up activities where toddlers can match objects or sorting toys by colors. This activity promotes color recognition, visual discrimination, and cognitive development.

   10. Playdough Play

   Offer playdough for toddlers to manipulate, squeeze, roll, and mold. This tactile experience aids in their fine motor skills development, creativity, and sensory exploration.

   11. Storytelling with Props

   Use picture books or puppets to engage toddlers in storytelling sessions. Encourage them to interact, ask questions, and retell the story, fostering language skills, imagination, and social development.

   12. Nature Walks

   Take toddlers on nature walks to explore their surroundings. Encourage them to observe and interact with plants, leaves, flowers, and animals, fostering their curiosity, vocabulary, and sensory awareness.

   13. Music and Movement

   Engage toddlers in songs, rhymes, and simple dance movements. This activity enhances their coordination, language development, and gross motor skills.

SIS PREP Preschool in Gurgaon is famous for its wide array of activities that are suitable for infants, toddlers and even children up to 4.5 years of age. The presence of highly trained teachers ensures that all activities go as planned. Engaging toddlers in hands-on activities is a fantastic way to support their mental development. Sensory bins, DIY shape sorters, nature scavenger hunts, puzzles, matching games, and cooking together provide opportunities for exploration, problem-solving, and cognitive growth. By incorporating these activities into your toddler’s routine, you can create an environment that nurtures their curiosity, stimulates their senses, and fosters their cognitive abilities. Enjoy the journey of watching your toddler thrive and learn through these engaging hands-on experiences!