Providing play opportunities allows children to explore and learn new things in fun and engaging ways.
Water play
Babies, toddlers and young children love playing with water – in the bath, paddling pool or just using the sink or a plastic bowl.
You can use:
- plastic bottles for pouring and squirting each other
- plastic tubing
- a sponge
- a colander
- straws
- a funnel
- spoons
- anything else that’s unbreakable
Never leave a young child alone in the bath or playing with water. A baby or young child can drown in less than 5 centimetres (2 inches) of water.
Books
Looking at books with a child is a great way to share some special time together.
Sharing books with a child supports:
- their development
- your attachment with them (how safe, secure and trusting they feel around their parent or carer)
It is the emotional aspects of shared reading (cuddling, smiling, singing and laughing) that boosts a child’s brain activities needed to forge secure attachment, not someone’s reading skills.
Visit your local library, they usually have a children’s area. Some libraries run story sessions and rhyme time for young children.
Sharing just 10 minutes a day looking at books together will:
- help a child build important skills
- encourage their interest in reading
Here are some great websites with lists of recommended books for different ages and stages:
You can watch the video below for more activity ideas to do with children aged 3 to 5 years old.
Further information
For a detailed look at strengthening learning through play in early childhood education programmes, see the Learning through Play booklet from LEGO Foundation and UNICEF.