LEARNING ON THE GO
Be Creative on the Go for Early Childhood Learning
Early childhood literacy activities can take place no matter where you and your child are.
IN THE CAR
Rather than finding toys to amuse and distract your child, use driving time to connect and enjoy being together.
What interests your child on car trips? Is it looking for signs that you are almost home or it is talking while you are together? Is it repeating new or silly words or sounds? Is it saying nursery rhymes, singing or watching for when the traffic lights change?
Memory is extremely important to learning because if you cannot remember, you can’t obtain new abilities. Without memory you cannot store the outcomes of learning.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Traveling on public transportation, especially if it’s crowded, can feel overwhelming to a young child, but it can also be an adventure. Encourage your child to focus on travel as an adventure.
How does your child react to the bus or subway? Help put words to your child’s feelings, which will help your child feel known and understood. Notice how your child reacts to other people, sounds, sights, escalators, doors opening and closing or other things you see, feel and hear.
ON A WALK
Taking a walk is good exercise for you and your child, plus it can also be a special time together. Focus on the present moment and being with your child, not on all of the things you have to do when you get back.
Look at the walk through your child’s eyes. How might a bug or a big crack in the sidewalk look to your child? What sounds do cars or birds make? Is the sun shining? Is it cloudy, warm or cold?
FOR YOUR BABY
IN THE CAR
- Use car travel as a time to sing.
- Play a CD or sing songs you know or love.
- Make up songs about what you are seeing along the road.
- Sing along with the radio. Singing about everyday activities helps children enjoy the sounds of language and creates a sense of togetherness.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- Follow your baby’s gaze while you travel and say aloud what you think he or she may be focusing on. “See the baby across from us” or “What do you see out of the window?”
ON A WALK
- Name things that your baby looks at or is interested in (street signs, animals, cars, people or other sights)
FOR YOUR TODDLER
IN THE CAR
- If your toddler likes trucks, look for trucks as you drive along and see who can yell out “truck” first.
- Listen to what your toddler says and repeat his or her words, adding new words or rhyming with words he or she says.
- These games help children learn to watch carefully and to categorize.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- Imagine what your child is feeling and try to see the experience through his or her eyes.
- Let your child help you by paying the fare or signaling the driver to stop. This helps develop a sense of confidence and mastery.
ON A WALK
- If your toddler likes to run and jump and practice moving around, make games of doing this.
- Help your child learn to be safe by stopping at corners and driveways and showing him or her how to look both ways for cars.
FOR YOUR PRESCHOOLER
IN THE CAR
- Use car time to talk about your child’s day.
- Ask specific questions (“Did you draw in preschool?” or “What kind of sandwich did you have?”) rather than general ones (“How was your day?”) because they are easier for young children to answer.
- Talk with your child about where you are going in the future (“We are going to the store on the way home.”)
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- Talk with your child about the last time you went on the bus or what interests him or her about where you are going and what you will do when you get there.
- Make up special games on a bus, such as counting the stops until you arrive.
ON A WALK
- Ask questions about what you see on your walk that seems to interest your child.
- Make up rhymes or sing marches as your walk. Try walking and singing or chanting fast, then slow.