Playing sports

According to Health Shots, activities such as running, jumping rope, playing soccer, cycling, or shooting hoops demand simultaneous coordination of multiple body parts. Children need to observe movement direction, adjust force, and react quickly to changes within the game.

Parents can organize simple games, such as: throwing a ball at a target, navigating obstacles, or passing a ball. These activities offer children opportunities for physical activity and learning body control.

Reading books

Reading offers children exposure to various words, expressions, and situations they might not encounter daily. Whether listening to parents read or reading independently, children gradually grasp how characters communicate, describe events, and convey emotions.

Parents can pause at certain points to ask children about a character's actions, motivations, or to predict what will happen next. For older children, encouraging them to retell the story in their own words transforms reading into an interactive experience rather than passive listening.

Drawing

According to Times of India, drawing requires children to visualize their desired image, then select colors, shapes, and methods of expression. Since there is no single correct answer for a drawing, children are free to generate their own ideas rather than adhering to pre-set content.

Parents do not need to guide children to draw specific models; instead, they can provide paper and colors, suggesting themes like: "my dream house," "a picnic adventure," or "my favorite animal." Once finished, parents should encourage children to describe their artwork, which helps them practice visualization and idea expression.

Drawing helps children develop imagination. Photo: Kim Uyen.

Puzzle games

Puzzle games require children to recognize the shape, size, and position of each piece to form a complete picture. Children must observe carefully, experiment with various arrangements, and adjust pieces when they do not fit.

Parents can begin with simple puzzle sets and gradually increase difficulty as children become accustomed. For younger children, large wooden blocks or puzzle pieces can also be used to construct houses, bridges, or towers based on their own ideas.

Cooking with parents

A safe kitchen can be a place for children to learn without needing textbooks. When preparing a simple dish, children can learn to measure ingredients, organize tasks sequentially, and observe food transformations during the cooking process.

Parents can assign age-appropriate tasks, such as: washing vegetables, mixing ingredients, measuring flour, or arranging food. If an ingredient is missing, parents can ask children for potential substitutions. These small situations encourage children to think critically and find solutions.

Le Nguyen (Compiled)