The sun is shining and your little one is wanting to be outside. This means many trips to the park for most of us!
Playgrounds and parks provide our children with unlimited ways to explore and encourage development.
This guide is laid out so that you can see ways to encourage development in each area: communication, motor, social emotional, adaptive, and cognitive.
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Develop Motor Skills at the Playground
Exploring Surfaces
Many parks provide a variety of surfaces for your little one to navigate. If they are new to walking make sure you hold their hand and give them the support they need.
Your toddler is refining their gross motor skills by walking on a variety of different surfaces.
They will learn to step over objects and avoid obstacles which will help them explore their world.
Navigate Stairs
Not everyone has stairs in their house. The playground provides a perfect opportunity to practice either walking or crawling up and down stairs.
Give them the support they need by holding their hand or their trunk to guide them up and down.
Never let your child on the stairs without supervision. Show them how to use the railing for support as well.
Younger children may practice crawling up and scooting back down. Older toddlers may hold your hands to step up and down.
Stair climbing requires a lot of coordination so providing opportunities to practice in a safe environment is important
Climbing
Helping your little one climb onto objects and equipment is another way for them to build strength and refine coordination.
If they are small use items that are closer to the ground to practice. Help your little one by showing them where to put their hands and feet.
Give them the support they need so that they do not fall.
Develop Social Emotional Skills at the Playground
Let Your Toddler Make New Friends
The park or playground is a great place to make new friends. When another child is near yours encourage them to look at them or give them a little wave and say “hi.”
Watch how your child responds. Do they cling to you and are unsure what to do?
Show them that it is ok to introduce themselves and stay near them until they feel more comfortable.
RELATED POST: How to Keep Your Toddler Entertained on a Rainy Day
Label Your Toddlers Emotions
The park may bring on a lot of emotions for your little one.
Are they excited to go on the swing? Are they sad that it is time to go home?
Take a moment and talk to them about what they are feeling.
Identify their emotions as well as your own so that they can begin to understand their own feelings.
Read more about ways to encourage emotional development here.
Avoid Toddler Temper Tantrums
Have a plan before you go to the park on how you can get your child to leave without a meltdown.
This is a struggle for many parents.
Help ease the transition by giving them warnings that it is going to be time to leave soon.
Keep a favorite toy in the car or stroller so when it is time to go, they have something to look forward to.
You can read more about how to encourage positive behaviors in your toddler here.
Develop Communication Skills at the Playground
Build Vocabulary
The park provides TONS of opportunities to increase your child’s vocabulary.
Label all of the new things that you see at the playground that you do not see at home.
Teaching your child new action words (verbs) at the park is perfect as well since they are running, jumping, and climbing.
RELATED POST: The Best Summer Activities for Toddlers
Follow Directions
The park is a great place to have your little one practice following directions.
Ask them to “hold your hand” or “go to the swing” to see if they can listen and follow a simple direction.
Develop Cognitive Skills at the Playground
Color Identification
Want to work on some preschool skills while at the park? These days playgrounds are full over colorful slides and swings.
By labeling the colors that you see, you are helping your little one learn them. Don’t expect them to be able to name them right away.
Often times children will be able to identify (point at when asked) before they are able to label a color.
Labeling colors is also a perfect way to grow your toddler’s phrases. If they say “slide”, you repeat back “green slide” to model what a two-word phrase sounds like.
Develop Self Help Skills at the Playground
Playground Safety with Your Toddler
Following rules and directions when at the playground will help your little one stay safe.
This is a great time to practice having your child hold your hand when outside and near streets. Teach them to stop at the street to look for cars.
This is a skill that you can start modeling when they are very young which will make it easier for them to learn as they get older.
Teach Your Toddler to Wear Sunscreen
Teach your toddler the importance of wearing sunscreen when headed to the park.
If your toddler is fighting it you can read my suggestions on how to get them to wear suntan lotion and the best sunscreens for toddlers here.
Teach Your Toddler to Drink from an Open Cup
If you have been working on transitioning from a sippy cup to an open cup, the park is a perfect place to practice as it doesn’t matter if they spill.
Enjoy your time at the playground!
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.
Tips for Family Fun this Summer
Friday 2nd of March 2018
[…] Things your Toddler can Learn at the Park Parenting Expert to Mom – because learning skills never needs to stop […]
softfuzzygunddog
Saturday 27th of May 2017
I feel like I'm getting Doll to the park a little late. She's not quite 2 but I feel as though she should've had more exposure to the scene last summer than she did. I'm super excited to get her out now though!
Kayla ONeill
Saturday 27th of May 2017
My son is 19 months and we did some park time last year...but it was a little difficult because he was crawling and putting everything in his mouth. Good for you for taking her now...my little guy sleeps so much better after some outside play time!
ohmummymia
Friday 19th of May 2017
My boy loves being in Park! Sometimes I have problem to take him back to home:D
Kayla ONeill
Sunday 21st of May 2017
It can be so hard to transition from those activities they love so much. I hope you found the tips in this post helpful on how to prevent those tantrums!
mommyhomemanager
Monday 15th of May 2017
Wow! This is an awesome list. I always just look at going to the park as a chance to be active and get outside. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood
Monday 15th of May 2017
this makes me want to check out a new park today