Teaching Toddlers Science, Yoga, Creative Art, and Music Using a Homeschooling Curriculum

In previous posts in our ‘Teaching Toddles’ series, we explored the benefits of teaching toddlers and how to teach toddlers Math and Critical Thinking Skills, Reading and Encyclopedic Knowledge, and a Second Language such as French. Today we will conclude our series and explore the remaining subjects offered through Masterminds Early Learning on-demand curriculum- Science, Yoga/Physical Education/Gymnastics or Movement, Creative Art, and Music and Suzuki Violin. Each of these subjects offers unique opportunities for your toddler to master skills that will benefit them throughout their life.

Benefits of Teaching Toddlers Science

Introducing toddlers to science from a young age can help them grow a lifelong interest in it.

Teaching toddlers science using an at home curriculum can be an effective way to introduce young learners to scientific concepts. Preparing food and cooking experiments can also be fun and educational for young children. This approach has the potential to build interest in science far beyond the traditional classroom setting which can be beneficial for young children who are often hesitant to leave their comfort zones. Older siblings can also be enlisted to help younger siblings learn about the world around them which can also strengthen the family unit. Anytime we can explore an activity with both of my daughters, I feel like we are getting more out of it. Working as a family unit is the beginnings of learning to work in a team setting. My favorite way to do this is for my older daughter to complete more complex tasks such as measuring materials and carrying glass. My younger daughter will complete tasks such as finding and collecting materials and laying them out in order to be used.

In an earlier post, we discussed how setting the table can incorporate basic addition and subtraction skills. For example- if one parent in a family of four is not joining for dinner that night, how many place settings do you need? Math and science meet head on when a child is allowed to help in the kitchen.

The Importance of Teaching Toddlers Science

Scientific experiments and observations foster a sense of curiosity in kids. As we have discussed previously, toddlers and young children are full of ‘whys’ about the world around them. Scientific experiments and observations allow children to begin discovering their own answers to ‘why’. Why does mixing baking soda and vinegar create bubbles? Why does a flower produce seeds? Allowing children the chance to touch, observe, and record results provides them a lifelong skills of understanding what is going on in the natural world.

Teaching Toddlers Yoga

There are many benefits for a child who practices yoga including boosting their self esteem as well as improving flexibility.

Yoga has been shown to have a multitude of health and wellbeing benefits for adults. Now, research is showing that yoga can have a positive impact on young children and their behavior. Yoga for toddlers is becoming a popular way for parents to help their young children build strength, flexibility, and concentration. Yoga for toddlers has also been shown to improve behavior and help children build self-esteem. An article on Arizona Early Childhood’s website lists 7 major benefits of teaching toddles yoga¹:

1. Yoga helps toddlers manage their anxiety.
2. Yoga improves children’s emotional regulation.
3. Yoga boosts child’s self-esteem.
4. Yoga increases children’s body awareness and mindfulness.
5. Yoga enhances children’s concentration and memory.
6. Yoga develops children’s strength and flexibility.
7. Yoga teaches discipline and reduces impulsivity.

Yoga also provides a great opportunity to bond with your child, helping you to build a deeper connection with them. This not only helps you to get the most out of your yoga practice, but also helps you if and when it comes time to start teaching your child formal yoga classes.

Teaching Toddlers Physical Education (PE) and Gymnastics

Gymnastics offers an opportunity for children to explore and improve gross motor skills.

While we recognize the numerous benefits of teaching toddlers yoga, we also believe in teaching children other ways to move their bodies. We incorporate basic physical education skills- running, jumping, throwing, catching, and many others. These are skills that improve gross motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination. We also provide basic gymnastics instruction in our on-demand programming. Many of the benefits seen with teaching toddlers yoga can be observed in teaching toddlers gymnastics- concentration, body awareness, flexibility, balance, and so on.

With both of my daughters, our first extracurricular activity was gymnastics. We felt it could set them up to understand how to move their body no matter what sport they are exposed to in the future. So far, this has proven to be successful for us!

Teaching Toddlers Creative Arts

Creative arts offers your toddler the opportunity to expand their art skills.

When it comes to art, toddlers are less concerned with creating masterpieces and more focused on exploring their surroundings. They love to draw, paint, and assemble things, but they often lack the fine motor control and patience to create something beautiful. Their art focuses on capturing the world around them with simple and fun doodles, rather than attempting complex art projects. This style of art is called creative play, and it’s a great way for toddlers to express their interests and expand their skill set.

Even as adults, we sometimes struggle to communicate our feelings and emotions. Allowing children the opportunity to explore creative art exposes them to another way to communicate their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. The more tools we provide to our children, the more equipped they will be to navigate life and its challenges.

Teaching Toddlers Suzuki Violin

Teaching your toddler violin can be a rewarding experience for both of you.

Teaching your toddler the violin can be a fun and rewarding experience. One of the most popular methods of teaching young children music is through the Suzuki Method which uses a specialized curriculum designed to develop music-making skills. One of the benefits of  teaching your toddler the violin using an at-home curriculum is that you don’t have to commit a lot of time or money to it—it’s one of the most affordable music education opportunities out there.

In an article on PBS.org, they discuss the benefits of music education for toddlers:

“According to the Children’s Music Workshop, the effect of music education on language development can be seen in the brain. ‘Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways.’”² 

Masterminds Early Learning Encompassing Curriculum with Seven Subjects

This post concludes our Teaching Toddlers series where we explored the seven unique subjects offered by Masterminds Early Learning online on-demand curriculum. Here are the seven subjects offered:

1. Math and Critical Thinking Skills
2. Reading and Encyclopedic Knowledge
3. French
4. Science
5. PE/Yoga/Gymnastics
6. Creative Arts
7. Music and Suzuki Violin

We hope after reading this series, you will explore our on-demand programming and watch you child grow as they fall in love with lifelong learning!

Sources:

1. Ward, Christina. “The Amazing Benefits of Gymnastics for Toddlers.” The Kid’s Directory, Family Resource Guide, 22 December 2020, https://azearlychildhood.org/resources/articles/7-benefits-of-yoga-for-young-kids/.
2. Brown, Laura. “The Benefits of Music Education.” org, Public Broadcasting Service, 7 May 2012, https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education.