Teaching Our Children: 12-24 Months

According to Alice Sterling Honig, PhD., your baby is a born explorer. Encourage his/her curiosity with these imaginative ideas. In an article from October 2009, Scholastic Parent & Child, children are like little scientist that begin to solve mysteries of their strange world by observing and experimenting, and your home is the laboratory.

12 to 18 Months

At this stage, children start to use more abstract thinking skills. During bath time, give your young one a variety of playthings, some that float and some that sink. Plastic cups that hold different amounts of water will help your little one learn how different quantities can or cannot be poured from one container to another.

18 to 24 Months

Sand play helps toddlers learn about different substances and gives them an early lesson in chemistry and physics. For instance, your toddler can pack wet sand into a pail, turn the pail over, and make a mud pie. In the kitchen, let your child learn about cause and effect by seeing the way dough changes in the oven to make a cookie. Ask your child to predict what will happen when eggs are boiled or when pancake batter sizzles on a griddle.

Tommorow I will be reporting on 24 to 36 months, so be sure to check it out!