Nursery Activities You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child’s Learning & Development

It is never too early to support your pre-school-aged child’s education. Engaging in simple nursery activities at home can significantly promote their learning and development. Studies have shown that children involved in early education programs have better academic success rates when they reach school age.

Benefits of Nursery Education

The benefits of nursery education are vast. Young children who attend an early years educational setting, like this nursery in Nottingham, learn essential skills to help them succeed in school and later life.

Independence

Nurseries provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, learn, and develop independence. They learn to take care of themselves, make choices, and become more confident in their abilities.

Social Skills

The social skills children learn in a nursery setting are invaluable. They learn how to get along with others, share, take turns, and resolve conflicts. These skills will help them when they start school and throughout their lives. Nurseries also emphasise the importance of manners and good behaviour. This prepares children for the social interactions they will have later in life.

Academic Skills

In addition to the essential life skills that nurseries provide, children also learn academic skills such as counting, reading, and writing. They develop an early love of learning which sets them up for success in their future studies. Children are also given opportunities to develop cognitively, learn to think critically, and problem-solve in a nursery setting.

Physical Skills

Nursery education helps children develop physically. They learn to balance, climb, and run. They also learn the importance of exercise and healthy eating.

Nursery Activities You Can Do at Home

If you’re like most parents, you want to do everything you can to help your preschool-aged child’s education. Luckily, there are an abundance of fun and engaging activities that you can do at home to support their nursery-based learning and development.

Now that you know some of the main advantages of nursery education, it’s time to start thinking about ways you can support your child’s development at home. Here are some simple nursery activities you can do with your child:

Learning Through Play

The best way to help your child learn is through play. Play allows children to explore the world around them and learn through experience and the examples they see others imitating. There are many different types of play, so find activities that interest your child and encourage them to explore. Examples include dress-up and role play, block building, dolls, and puzzles.

Reading

Reading helps children develop vocabulary, language skills, and comprehension. It also helps instil a love of reading which will benefit them in their future studies. Make sure to read appropriate stories for your child’s age group and interests. Children need to understand the text being read to them, so try to encourage a conversation about the story and ask questions to improve their attention and recall skills.

Maths

Maths can be fun, and there are many different ways you can teach math concepts to your child at home. For example, try counting things around the house, playing with money, or doing shape puzzles. You can also use everyday activities as opportunities to teach maths concepts. For example, when cooking dinner, ask your child to help you measure out ingredients.

Explore Nature

Science is all around us! Encourage your child to investigate the natural world around them and ask questions about what they observe. You can do simple science experiments at home or take trips to science museums or nature centres. Even a walk through the woods can be an excellent opportunity for nature study.

Get Physical

Physical activity is important for children’s development. Support your child in being active by playing outdoors, going swimming, or participating in sports. Physical activity helps children learn teamwork, develop motor skills, and stay healthy.

Messy Play

Sensory play is a fun way to help children learn and develop. It allows them to explore the world around them through their senses. Some common types of messy play include playing with water, sand, play-doh, and foam. Other learning opportunities can be incorporated into a sensory play session. For example, you could hide letter flashcards in the sand for your child to find and dig out with brushes and other tools.

Art & Crafts

Helping your child engage in art and crafts is a great way to help them develop their creativity and imagination. It can also help them explore and learn about different materials and how to use them. There are many kinds of art and crafts, so find activities that interest your child and encourage them to experiment. Some examples include painting, drawing, sculpting, and threading jewellery.

Music & Singing

Singing helps children learn language skills and develop their sense of rhythm. Music can be introduced in many different ways, such as listening to songs, dancing to music, or making music themselves. Let your child explore different types of music and see what they enjoy the most.

These are just a few of the many activities you can do at home to support your pre-school aged child’s education. Nurseries provide children with a foundation to help them succeed in their academic careers and later life. However, parents play a vital role in their child’s development and can supplement the nursery experience with activities at home. So get creative and have fun learning with your child! They will thank you for it later.