Whatever age your child is, it is important to provide educational activities according to each of your child’s different developmental stages.
When providing an educational environment for the children, it is important to structure it with the following stages of development in mind:
Physical Development
Intellectual Development
Language Development
Emotional Development
Social Development
6 weeks – 6 months
Age appropriate toys and books
Talking and singing to the baby plus tummy time
Baby Gym
Rattles and soft toys
6 – 12 months
Toys and books
Colorful books, soft covers with different textures
Soft blocks
Educational toys
Sponge alphabet mat for floor
Activity centers
There will be lots of play time with the baby, encouraging him/her to sit up, crawl and then stand.
Play relaxing music, sing, talk and even dance with him/her
Local Baby groups (see our recommended “Places to Visit” list)
Swimming – Lessons available in local pool
Day trips to the Zoo, Imaginosity, Airfield Pet farm, Activity Places (see our recommended “Places to Visit” list)
Attending baby groups with other nannies and children
12 months – 24 months
Toys to strengthen his legs and encourage him to move forward
Toys for co-ordination, gross motor skills and fine motor skills
Lots of books – story time every day
Painting with non-toxic paint for babies and toddlers
Basic practical life skills e.g. teaching him how to spoon or pour, developing his/her self-esteem and confidence
Jigsaws – floor and table
Blocks
Trikes
Regular trips to the playground to go on the swings and slides
Playgroups
Zoo and Farm Day trips
Swimming lessons
Library sessions
Attending toddler groups with other nannies and children
Encouraging language development continuously
2 -3 years
Toilet training – many books available and information on the internet
Education – he/she maybe attending a Montessori school or playgroup 3-5 mornings every week
Encouraging the child’s independence, concentration, coordination, confidence, self-esteem, fine and gross motor skills
In the home environment there are many Montessori related activities that may be introduced to the child including:
Practical Life skills – spooning, pouring, cutting with a child sized scissors.
Later age – tie shoe laces
Sensorial – matching and naming colors, grading and sequencing of blocks
Mathematics – Sandpaper numbers, basic sums
Language – Sandpaper letters, word building
Cultural – learning about the world, history, zoology, botany, languages from around the world
Encouraging language development continuously
School age
Parents or the nanny may organize after school activities for the child or children
E.g. Ballet lessons, music classes, drama classes, dancing classes, singing classes, playball, rugby, football, hurling, tennis, badminton or hockey.
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