Activities for Toddlers with Learning Disabilities
Every child is unique and has different learning needs. That’s why we strongly believe that parents should both personalise their child’s learning path and place their trust in a nursery in London that has experience working with little ones who have additional needs.
Children with special educational needs may learn and communicate differently, but a learning difficulty does not determine a child’s intelligence or potential. With the right environment, encouragement and teaching approaches, every toddler can be supported to explore their interests and develop new skills.
Here are some fun and engaging activities for toddlers with learning disabilities, special educational needs, or different ways of learning.
Common Learning Disabilities and Additional Needs in Toddlers
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difference associated with difficulties with reading, spelling and processing language. It can affect the way children recognise speech sounds and understand how they relate to letters and words. One in ten people in the UK is estimated to have dyslexia.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a persistent difficulty with understanding numbers and mathematical concepts. Children may find counting, recognising quantities or understanding numerical relationships more challenging. According to one study, 3-7% of children have dyscalculia.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect attention, impulse control and activity levels. Children with ADHD may benefit from movement, shorter activities and opportunities to explore their interests.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia can present as difficulties with handwriting, spelling and written expression. Children may benefit from multisensory approaches that allow them to explore letters and shapes without relying solely on writing.
Dyspraxia
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), sometimes known as dyspraxia, affects physical coordination and movement. Children may need additional support when developing skills such as balance, hand-eye coordination and everyday physical tasks. According to the NHS, “DCD is three or four times more common in boys than in girls, and it can run in families.”
A gentle reminder – it’s important to remember that every child is different. A toddler may have one of these conditions, several areas of need, or a completely different developmental profile.
Activities for Toddlers with Learning Disabilities
Nurturing the sensory system and providing opportunities for movement, creativity and communication can be particularly valuable for toddlers with additional needs. The best SEN activities for toddlers are flexible, enjoyable and adapted to each child’s individual interests and abilities. And a caring and knowledgeable nursery in Southwark will understand this approach.
Toddler Yoga
Yoga is a gentle mind-body activity that can help children develop body awareness and practise self-regulation. Try simple balancing poses with your toddler to encourage coordination, strength and flexibility.
Breathing exercises and quiet relaxation can also create opportunities to practise calming strategies. Keep activities playful and age-appropriate, and allow your child to participate in their own way.
Create a Story Line by Line
Making up a story together is a wonderful way to encourage communication, imagination and confidence.
Start by saying one line, such as, “There was a princess who lived in a castle.” Your toddler can then contribute the next part of the story. You can make it sensory by incorporating sights, sounds, smells and textures into the adventure.
This is one example of inclusive toddler activities because there is no single “right” way to participate. A child might contribute verbally, choose an object, make a sound, point to a picture or act out part of the story.
Listen To or Make Music
Music provides a multisensory way for children to communicate and express themselves. Singing, dancing, playing simple instruments and listening to different sounds can encourage communication, attention, movement and self-expression.
For toddlers who find verbal communication difficult, music can provide another way to participate and connect with others. Keep instruments simple and give children plenty of freedom to experiment with sounds and rhythms.
Play with Sensory Boxes
Sensory boxes can provide opportunities for exploration and can be incorporated into SEND activities EYFS when they are carefully planned around a child’s individual needs and interests.
They are also easy to create. Simply use a suitable container and fill it with safe, age-appropriate materials with different textures, colours and shapes, such as:
- Sand
- Rice
- Dry pasta
- Shaving foam, where appropriate and supervised
- Jelly
- Ice cubes
- Potting soil
- Shredded paper
- Clay
Always supervise sensory play closely and avoid small objects that could present a choking risk.
Encourage your child to explore using their hands, spoons or suitable tools. You could create different themes, such as a garden, jungle, underwater world or outer space.
For children who find certain textures overwhelming, never force participation. The purpose of sensory play is to offer opportunities for exploration, not to make a child tolerate an experience they find distressing.
Creative and Inclusive Play Ideas
We know from years of providing childcare in Southwark that every child, whether they have ADHD, autism or another additional need, can benefit from creative play. Hands-on activities can provide opportunities to practise communication, social interaction, problem-solving and early mathematical concepts while building confidence.
Some ideas include:
- Drawing, collage, clay and painting
- Acting, dancing and movement games
- Singing and exploring simple instruments
- Creating stories together
- Imaginative role-play with different characters and settings
- Exploring colours, shapes and textures through art
The most effective inclusive toddler activities allow children to participate according to their individual abilities. For example, one child might paint with a brush while another uses their hands, a sponge or an adapted tool.
The aim is not to produce a particular finished result. Instead, focus on the experience and the skills the child is developing along the way.
Autism-Friendly Activities for Toddlers
Children with autism can have different sensory, communication and social needs, so activities should always be tailored to the individual child.
Simple autism activities toddlers enjoy may include sorting objects by colour or shape, matching pictures, exploring sensory materials, listening to familiar music, building with blocks or engaging in repetitive movement games.
A predictable structure can also help some autistic toddlers feel comfortable. For example, you could introduce an activity using a simple visual sequence: “first we paint, then we tidy up, then we have a story.”
The key is to observe the child and follow their interests rather than assuming that every autistic child will respond to the same activity.
Sensory and Communication Activities for Autistic Toddlers
Sensory and communication experiences can also be incorporated naturally into the nursery day. Autism activities toddlers can participate in might include exploring musical instruments, matching familiar objects, using sensory trays, looking at picture books together or taking part in simple turn-taking games.
At our nursery in Southwark, our practitioners consider each child’s sensory profile. Some children may seek particular sensory experiences, while others may find certain sounds, textures, lights or movements overwhelming. Providing choices and quiet spaces can help children feel secure and ready to engage.
SEND Activities and the EYFS
Within a nursery environment, activities should support the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) while being adapted to individual children’s needs.
Well-planned SEND activities, EYFS provision and good childcare in Southwark can support areas such as communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy and understanding the world.
Practitioners can make activities more accessible by:
- Breaking activities into smaller steps.
- Offering visual prompts or demonstrations.
- Providing additional time to respond.
- Using sensory resources thoughtfully.
- Adapting equipment where necessary.
- Following each child’s interests.
- Offering different ways to communicate and participate.
For little ones with additional needs, SEN activities for toddlers should be about creating meaningful opportunities to learn rather than expecting every child to complete an activity in exactly the same way.
Concerned That Your Child Has a Learning Disability?
If you have concerns about your toddler’s development, speak to your child’s nursery SENCO, health visitor or GP. If your toddler is not currently attending a nursery, your local authority can also provide information about available support and services.
It is important not to rely on online descriptions to diagnose a developmental condition. Professional advice can help you understand your child’s individual strengths and identify appropriate support.
Helping Children with Learning Disabilities Thrive at Little Angels Nursery
We fully support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Little Angels. We recognise that every child has individual strengths, interests and ways of learning, and we work closely with families to provide appropriate support.
Our experienced team can create personalised learning and development approaches, adapting activities and the nursery environment to help each child participate, communicate and build confidence.
From sensory exploration and creative play to movement, music and communication activities, we aim to make activities for toddlers with learning disabilities enjoyable, accessible and meaningful for every child.
Get in touch with us to find out more about what we can offer your toddler at our welcoming nursery in London.