Share
What is an awakening activity?
An early learning activity is an activity designed to stimulate the senses and overall development of young children. They include sensory play, motor exercises, and social interactions that help children discover their environment. They aim to improve fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive and social skills - manipulating objects of different textures, listening to various sounds, or exploring colors and shapes are typical early learning activities. They are essential for the balanced and harmonious development of toddlers, allowing them to grow and learn while having fun.
But awakening activities also concern the field of sport!
One day perhaps your child will be part of a sports club… In the meantime, the sporting education of toddlers aims to develop their physical, social and creative abilities. Age-appropriate physical activity can help develop a child's psychomotor skills and team spirit. Let's see this in detail!
Sports activities for children according to Maria Montessori
The educational approach Montessori is one that we draw inspiration from. When it comes to youth sports, Maria Montessori considered it essential that the environment be specially prepared for children. In this sense, it is necessary to bring together groups of the same age and give everyone the opportunity to be free to try the activity of their choice. Martial arts, athletics, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, rugby, tennis, football or other team sports, it is up to the children to try!
We also emphasize here the notion of free choice. We leave the choice to the child to test a multitude of activities if he wishes, without dissuading him from doing so. Practicing sports games should never be a source of stress for the youngest.
Also, constant competition is not a good idea according to Maria Montessori. It would be better to dwell on the process and the learning of the sport than on the result of a competition. Sport should never be synonymous with comparison, but rather with recreation, improvement and self-realization. This method makes it possible in particular to develop a spirit of solidarity and mutual aid.
Why introduce him to sport from an early age?
Discover with your family or in a crèche for your little one, the joys of team spirit and sharing! The development of motor skills, mutual aid, improvement and self-transcendence are what sports best offer at an early age.
Sports awareness activities have many benefits! They are essential for the overall development of toddlers. They improve their motor skills, coordination, and understanding of the world. Offering your child varied awareness activities stimulates their curiosity and desire to learn.
Physically, sports help improve motor skills, coordination and muscle strength. Regular participation in sports activities helps strengthen the cardiovascular system, increase bone density and stay healthy.
Mentally, sports are a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Children learn to manage their emotions, set goals and develop resilience in the face of challenges.
Socially, sports help develop interpersonal skills. Children learn the importance of teamwork, respect for rules and fair play. They build friendships and learn to collaborate with their peers, which strengthens their ability to function in a group.
Participating in team or individual sports also encourages the development of sportsmanship and personal discipline.
Sport is a source of pleasure and personal satisfaction! By succeeding in sporting challenges, children gain confidence and self-esteem.
Free motor skills according to Pikler
Baby's first sporting steps are based on free motor skills according to Pikler. Free movement is an approach where the child is encouraged to move and explore his environment at his own pace. While being supervised, baby will climb, roll on the floor, crawl, fall and… get up by himself. These movements help develop strength and coordination, essential skills for his physical development. He will learn to be independent through physical activity.
Awakening activities at home
It is entirely possible to create educational activities for children at home. Use everyday objects to create simple but educational games. A simple mirror, for example, can become a fascinating learning tool, allowing the child to discover their reflection and better understand their movements!
Key takeaway: It is important to create a stimulating and safe environment for children to discover and experiment safely. Use age-appropriate toys, boxes filled with colorful and shaped objects, and spaces where they can move around freely but safely.
Play allows children to discover new things while having fun. Through play, children learn to solve problems, develop their language by repeating words, and understand the world around them.
Here are some examples of easy activities for parents to implement:
Placing boxes of different colors and sizes on the floor and asking the child to sort them is a great way to develop cognitive and motor skills,
use water for sensory play. The child can fill, empty, transfer liquids,
Introduce interactive books with pictures and textures to stimulate the child's curiosity. This helps develop the child's language and imagination by providing opportunities to discover new words and concepts.
Join the nurseries KidsCare
Kidscare after school clubs offer children's developmental activities that are specifically designed to support their development. Our qualified daycare professionals use a variety of methods to engage children in fun and educational activities. For example, movement games like the obstacle course help develop gross motor skills, while sorting and matching games improve fine motor skills.
Our daycare centres also offer activities based on art and music, to develop children's creativity. Children can explore different forms of artistic expression. Painting, drawing and music are excellent ways for children to develop their creativity and aesthetic sense. These awakening activities allow them to manipulate a variety of materials, which is essential for hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
Integrating children's awakening activities into their daily lives is essential for their development. Whether at home or in daycare, these activities must be varied and adapted to the child's age to maximize their effectiveness. By offering your child a stimulating and secure environment, you help them grow and flourish fully!
nurseries KidsCare are dedicated to providing the best possible environment for children's development. With our child-centered approach, qualified educators, and diverse programs, we ensure that each child receives the attention and care they need to grow with confidence.
Discover all our nursery activities :
Sensory activity
Fun activities in daycare
The end of year holiday period at the nursery
Read also:
Developing children's autonomy
Choosing a nursery
Conflicts in the nursery