Simple Games for 3-Year-Olds that Stimulate Intellectual Development

Children love to play. Therefore, they’re capable of finding fun in pretty much any game they play. However, as parents we should provide them with simple games that aren’t only fun, but also help stimulate intellectual development.

In this article we’ll show you how to get the most out of simple games created to stimulate your little one’s intellectual capacity.

Keep in mind that your child’s development occurs in stages. This article is going to be focused on developing your three-year-old child’s intellect.

It’s around this age that children start to think creatively. They begin to reason and reflect on what they want to obtain.

Around the age of three, children begin to become more aware of their sense of touch. Therefore, parents should use simple games that reinforce the new skills that their children acquire.

The best games to play with our children are precisely those that encourage creativity and those that involve reasoning. Now, let’s explore some games that in addition to capturing their attention will favor their education.

Puzzles:

Puzzles are a great way to have some fun. The age of three is the perfect time to start with this form of entertainment. They should be simple at this stage in order to prevent the child from getting frustrated.

This activity helps develop their reasoning abilities. It also helps them recognize and memorize different shapes and colors.

Experts recommend small puzzles for children this age. The puzzle shouldn’t contain more than 10 pieces. If the puzzle has too many pieces the child may not be able to visualize the final image that has to be formed. They should also have bright colors and well-defined images.

Puzzles can be bought in toy stores and they can be designed at home. In order to make a puzzle at home, all you have to do is draw or print an image that the child likes. A fun way to encourage the child is to make their puzzles out of their own picture or one of their favorite toys.

You should be alongside your child when they’re playing with their first puzzle in order to orient them on what the game consists of. After they complete their first puzzle with your help, encourage them to continue on their own.

Crafts:

As we mentioned above, touch is one of the senses that children develop during the stage. Crafts will help stimulate their creative spirit

Keep in mind that if you decide to do crafts at home, a mess will surely be made. Some mothers decide to dedicate a space in the house specifically for arts and crafts.

As parents we must also take into account that children are likely to bring everything into contact with their mouths. That’s why it’s important to always be watchful when children are feeling “inspired.”

There are paints available that are 100% natural. These are a good option if your child is prone to biting or sucking on their toys.

In order to avoid creating stains, you can use water-based paint. These paints will prevent you from getting frustrated when you see that your child has decided to redesign their clothes.

What kinds of crafts can your child make?

Plasticine

Children are very excited by plasticine’s color, elasticity and the feeling that it has in their hands. That’s why it’s recommended for children around the age of three. It’s sure to be one of their favorite toys.

When buying plasticine, you’ll notice that they’re available in infinite sizes and colors. There are even utensils such as molds, knives, stamps and manuals to create certain objects.

It’s best to buy a small set for your child in order for them to discover and enjoy all possible combinations.

Designing their own clothes

As we mentioned above there are water-based paints that are available to prevent your child from staining their clothes. However, there are also special paints that can be used that are permanent.

A fun idea is to buy a white shirt and decorate it with this type of paint. You’ll  just need to help your child pick the design that they would like and then help them carry it out.

Your child will feel super proud of their new creation. This activity can be done easily and your child can wear the clothes out later.

Simple games based on recycling and plastic utensils

Recycling teaches our children that it’s important to take care of the environment. We can teach them that objects can be reused and converted into toys. There are no limits to creativity.

Here are a few examples of simple games based on recycling and plastic utensils:

• Who doesn’t remember the famous telephone made out of two plastic cups joined together with a thread? We can create this toy at home and explain to our children how we used them as toys.
• Maracas can be made by filling containers with rice. The child can decorate and customize their own maraca. They can also make maracas by filling a bottle with grains of rice or sand.
• Your child can also make a wig by cutting a plastic bag into many small strips. Remember that a union should always be kept between the strips.

Having fun at home with your child is easy. Improvisation has the power to make a huge difference.