Learning about the body can be a little overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Is my kid old enough to learn about body parts? Will they be able to grasp that this is an arm, and this is your hand although it’s all connected? I’ve asked myself these and other questions before, and what I have learned while growing as a mom, sometimes I can be my kids' downfall on things they learn. In my mind, I’m so worried about if they’re too young instead of taking that energy and making it for their age so that they can learn.
Here are a few ways we teach the boys about their bodies. Let me know if there are any other ways you teach your little ones about body parts that help you!
“Head, Shoulders”
A classic song that usually gets the job done when it comes to helping your little ones learn about their body parts. Kids learn a lot through songs, they’re catchy and you can’t help but repeat it. They also learn a lot through imitation. Playing and dancing along to the song, “Head, Shoulders” is a great way to teach your little ones about those body parts, get them moving, and have a good time.
Mr. Potato Head
Another classic that gets the job done. We pulled out Mr. Potato head for our learning time and labeled all the body parts. Once we labeled them, I had the boys take turns adding a different body part while still labeling them out loud as we go. Once we finished Mr. Potato head, we pointed to the body parts on Mr. Potato head and on ourselves to compare. This really kept their interest, maybe it’s because they’re big Toy Story fans. Either way, it was a fun way to learn about our body.
Freezing the parts overnight and having your little one Crack through to get the pieces is another way to add a challenge while staying cool!
Books
My boys love sitting down and flipping through a book with colorful pages. And this Dr. Seuss book has so much to learn about the body. My little ones would get antsy if we read through every page. So, I like to read the fun facts on the pages and talk about the pictures with them. This gets and keeps them engaged during the book. There are other books out there that talk about the body, this is just one of my favorites because I grew up on Dr. Seuss.
Everyday Life
You ever hold your little one, and they touch your mouth and your eyes and nose. Just hands all over your face. This is a great moment to call out the things they are touching. Even when they’re young, hearing those words they will begin to associate with what they are pointing to. The best thing about this is its natural teaching, meaning no prep work, just opportunity at the right moments.
Another suggestion is telling them the function of their body parts as they are using them. Let’s say your little one claps their hands. Emphasize on them using their hands. “You’re clapping your hands!” You’re putting words to what they are doing and over time you’re building their vocabulary.
I hope some of these techniques help with teaching your little ones about the body. If there are other ways you've taught your little ones, share down below!
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