How to teach toddlers at home?

The new normal has thrown new challenges for the parents of toddlers. The biggest problem parents face is keeping their little ones engaged the whole day.

Here are some tips and tricks curated by educators of one of the best preschools in Ahmedabad for you to teach your toddler at home.

1) Fix up a place for online classes — A place for an online class helps to set the daily routine and the expectation that it is time to study. It can be the corner of your dinner table, a place in the study area, or a simple folding table. Ensure there is good lighting for the child to attend the online class.

2) Collect materials that will be required beforehand

As a parent, it is your responsibility to prepare for the online class. Stationery and other things needed for the class have to be arranged. Some suggestions for things to have on the study table; pencils, sharpener, erasers, and paint if required.

3) Check the school portal daily

Teachers usually provide details in advance about the next class. You can prepare the material accordingly for the class. If required, you can email and ask for information, don’t be hesitant.

4) Set a routine for an online class

Many things are totally dependent on the parents, and one of the most important things is setting a routine for an online class for a toddler. Hence, it is necessary to follow a regular school routine for an online class too.

5) Plan the day

Make your child your partner and ask the child how he/she would like to spend the day. Involve the child in the day. Create a schedule and stick it near his eye level. Set a time for each activity. In case your child is a bit older and can do some drawing/painting independently, then you can use that time to complete your pending tasks.

6) Long teaching hours v/s short teaching hours

As a policy at Bodakdev School, we do not have online classes beyond 40 minutes for young children. Similarly at home too, you can break your teaching time with your child.

You can combine nursery rhymes or stories with exercise time. Try to engage your child in physical exercise with you.

7) Learning opportunities exist everywhere

Parents need to remain in touch with the educators of Bodakdev School. Keep communicating and asking questions to your child’s teachers. Find out what are the key concepts in each week for your pre-schooler. Ask them how you can teach them in various ways at home.

8) Learning beyond the Curriculum

There are many opportunities for a child to learn at home. During gardening the child can observe the plants and learn about various parts of plants, play with water and learn about water and its properties, conduct simple at-home science experiments, play hide and seek, treasure hunt, sing rhymes loudly for fun, learn alphabets with using clay, make animals with dough or kinetic sand.

9) Stay Connected with your child’s friends: The main reason why children miss their school is their friends. Try to organize virtual parties for your child, and connect your child with their class friends virtually.

10) Every day is a new day

It is not necessary that every day is going to be a fantastic day and you and your little one are going to accomplish whatever learning activities you had planned. Don’t worry; learning at home is different.

Learning is a never-ending process. Don’t panic if kids don’t respond or don’t learn just now. Keep a record of things you have taught to the child at home. You can ask your child’s teacher to ask your child those topics during the online class.

The main message from the above tips was that learning at home should be enjoyable for both parents and the child. If it becomes a bone of contentment, then you need to talk to the school about it.