As a parent of a nonverbal toddler, you might be wondering what kinds of activities you can do together. While it may seem like there are fewer options available to you, there are actually plenty of nonverbal games to engage with your child. From playing music to exploring nature, there are all sorts of ways to have fun and bond with your little one – no speech is required!
Get Down On The Floor And Play With Your Toddler
Spending time actually playing on the floor with your toddler is a wonderful way to give them attention and show your love. Instead of simply chit-chatting from across the room, pick up some toys and join your little one in playtime! From stacking blocks or playing catch to building block towers or pretending to bake cookies, there are so many different things you can do together. Not only will these activities give you priceless memories together, but they also have immense developmental benefits for children. So take time out of your day and get down on the floor – your toddler will thank you!
Try Playing Catch, Blowing Bubbles, Or Other Simple Games That Don’t Require Words
Playing simple games that don’t require words is an excellent way to build strong relationships with our toddlers. They’re a great break from technology-focused activities! Activities like playing catch and blowing bubbles foster connection and communication on a nonverbal level and create meaningful moments with much laughter and joy. These shared experiences are priceless, will stay in the heart for years, and can bring about the security of feeling understood.
Story Time
Reading stories is a great way to engage with your non-verbal toddler. Even if they don’t understand the words you are saying, they will respond positively to the sound of your voice and all the emotions that come from hearing a story read out loud. Make sure you have plenty of books around that focus on things like colors, animals, numbers, shapes etc., so your little one can identify familiar images as you read out loud.
Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way to help kids develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination while having fun at the same time. There are lots of puzzles out there specifically designed for toddlers, including jigsaw puzzles featuring bright colors and animals, shape sorters, or stacking blocks. When playing with your toddler, make sure to name each piece or shape as they put it into place – this helps them learn new words in a fun environment.
Draw Pictures or Color Together
Bonding with your little one can be a rewarding experience that pays dividends down the line. One great way to build your relationship and create many special memories is by sitting together and drawing or coloring. Whether it’s a portrait of your family, a scene from their favorite cartoon, or just about anything else, starting with an idea and then taking turns adding to it can help generate thoughtful conversations between you and your youngster. Tools like pencils, markers, crayons and paints make the process of bringing art to life even more exciting for both of you. Best of all, these pictures come to serve as touching keepsakes in years to come. So grab some supplies and let your imagination run wild!
Sensory Play
Sensory play is an excellent way for toddlers to learn about the world around them through their senses. There are many activities that require minimal materials and setup time. For instance, you can fill a bin or bowl with items like dried beans, uncooked rice, pieces of fabric etc., for your toddler to explore with their hands or feet; this will allow them to feel different textures and practice using their sense of touch when interacting with objects in their environment. You can also provide items such as colorful scarves or feathers for them to explore how different materials move differently when manipulated by hand or blown by breath. Another fun activity involves having them splash in the water or paint on paper or other surfaces — both activities teach toddlers about cause and effect while enabling them to experiment creatively without words!
Music Time
Music is another great way to engage with your non-verbal toddler in a meaningful way. Singing songs together helps create a strong bond between parent/caregiver and child while providing opportunities for language development too! Playing music at home also encourages movement; try giving your little one’s instruments such as drums or maracas so they can make music along with you! Music time doesn’t have to be structured either – just turning on some tunes and dancing around together can be just as much fun!
Nonverbal toddlers are capable of learning just like any other toddler — it just requires more creativity from parents/caregivers in order for them to do so successfully. The activities listed above provide great ways for parents/caregivers of nonverbal children to engage meaningfully with their toddlers while helping them learn new concepts without having to rely solely on language skills they may not yet possess. So give these fun activities a try today – you might even surprise yourself at how much progress your little one makes in no time at all.
