Watch Video >>

For children not old enough to attend formal schooling, there are still multiple learning opportunities available throughout the day at little to no cost. As a parent or caregiver, you can help develop your child's cognitive skills, opinions of the world around them and their physical abilities.

Teaching can begin as soon as you say, "Good morning." When you open the shades, ask your child if it is sunny or cloudy, windy or raining. If your child is too young for these questions, you may want to explain that it is sunny today, or that the puddles on the ground are left from the rain that fell while you were sleeping.

As you prepare breakfast, have your child help you by counting out the Cheerios or pieces of toast. Sing the ABCs as you wait for the eggs to scramble or ask for the letters each food item begins with. Use everyday items as teaching tools. Talk to your child and explain what things are, what you are doing and why. They may not understand, but it will lead to word-object recognition. The more you talk with your child, the more language skills they will develop.

Encourage conversation while you use the outdoors as a giant classroom. When you are on a walk, count the cracks in the sidewalk or the fallen leaves. Have your child find treasures such as pinecones, leaves, twigs, rocks, etc. Talk about the sounds you hear: car horns, dogs barking, birds singing, planes overhead and big trucks. Read the signs posted or have your child tell you what they mean. Find all the colors in the rainbow; nature will provide them if you look closely. Have your child feel the difference between smooth stones and rough tree bark. Take the time to lie back and find shapes in the clouds. Ask children what they see. Have them tell you a story about their visions.