Brainy Toddlers

It is said that we now live in the “Millennium of the Mind,” a time when our brainpower is the biggest asset we could ever possess. In this case, it is the toddlers who are taking the lead because they are at a phase of accelerated neural development.  It is a natural process reinforced by a stimulating environment, something that has adults to interact with, boundaries for appropriate behavior, a simple daily routine, rich sensory experiences and interesting objects such as toys and common household objects.

In this phase of a child’s development, he or she learns more, through imitation, experimentation and exploration, how the world works. Let’s look at each of these activities:

• Imitation – Your child is absorbing others’ behavior like a sponge and will start to imitate actions and words he or she sees at this phase of development. You will start seeing your child mimicking common daily occurrences such as ironing, shaving, stirring and cutting during playtime. You must encourage this type of activity by providing your child with safe, child-friendly toys.
• Experimentation – It is very important to allow your children to experiment with certain toys and household objects in order for them to find out for themselves how things work. Encourage experimentation, but always supervise them to prevent any cases of injury.
• Exploration – It is often a relief for parents to know that their child, at this stage, is very absorbed into his or her surroundings. For an average child, the world is a place filled with wonders waiting to be explored. To make this period as happy for your child as it is safe for your home, perform necessary child-proofing measures, such as stowing breakables, chemicals, and all other potentially harmful objects somewhere your child cannot reach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

As you encourage your children to explore, try to view the world from their perspective. Surely once you start doing this, the world suddenly becomes this awe-inspiring, wondrous place brimming with opportunities for discovery and enjoyment.