This week, I thought I’d focus on simple ideas to develop your preschooler’s sensory abilities, and her thinking skills.

By the time she is three, your child can recognize a number of objects at home. Try a different way to test her observation skills, and force her to think. These ideas are simple enough to use on a toddler. (For older kids, just increase the difficulty of the questions).

Point to objects around the house, and instead of asking

“What is that?”

ask

What does that shiny round thing do?

What does that big box (television) do?

What do we do with these plates?

What does Mommy do with this (washing machine)?

There’s no limit to the number of things around the house you can question her about – chairs and table, her swing set. Keep questions simple at first, and concentrate on things she knows before you move on to more challenging objects, like appliances in the kitchen.

Some of the answers might actually surprise you!

When you’re reading her favorite book together, ask silly questions –

“Is that cat eating the flower?”

Or mess up the words of a rhyme –

“Mary had a little cat.”

Don’t forget to praise her to the skies when she “catches” your mistake!

Have fun, and keep smiling!