Children are naturally curious. It doesn’t take much to get them interested in something new. Even small children can learn a surprising range of concepts if they are given the opportunity. So put away your folding chairs and desk, and get up and get into learning with your child.

• The simplest activity such as a walk to the park or a ride in the car can be made into a learning experience. Take the time to point out the things that you and your child see. Flowers, insects and animals on the route can lead to interesting, fun discussions.
• Get out the crayons and paper and draw with your child. Reinforce the things you learned about on your walk by drawing them and talking about them again. Drawing favorite places, what you see out your window, or even what is right in front of you. And don’t forget to just draw from the imagination, too. A great chance to talk about colors and the different feeling color and shading produce.
• Now take your child’s drawing and turn it into a story. Write down what your child says about the picture he just drew, or to make about a whole story about it. Encourage him to use his imagination in new ways. Save what he says with his picture.
• Listen carefully to your child. Ask him questions and encourage him to ask questions, too. When you ask your child to tell you about his experiences he learns to choose his words and to think about his experiences.
• Choose appropriate toys which encourage learning of all types. Children learn about the world around them mostly by playing. The best toys that encourage exploration and imagination are not necessarily the ones advertised on television. Make sure the toys you choose are safe, and long-lasting.

Here are some ideas for great, simple and inexpensive toys that can contribute a lot to your child’s education:

• Balls
• Blocks
• Puzzles
• Consider planting a garden with your child
• Books-read to your child

Those are just a few simple ideas which will do a lot to get your child learning, naturally.