Play number games and ask “What do you think would happen if…” questions. Involve your child in daily routines – sort laundry according to size or colour; count the steps up the slide or how many plates are required for the number of people at dinner.

If your child is older, you can play maths games at the supermarket. For example, ask them to help you work out if it’s cheaper per gram to buy two small tins of sweetcorn or one large tin.

Beyond reading books, read signs and labels and what you see around you, talk to your child regularly and ask them to tell you a story.

Or ask them to explain the plot of their favourite comic or video game, in their own words.  The key here is to stretch their vocabulary and show them how words can bring ideas to life. So prompt them to colourfully describe the characters and what they do, using adjectives and verbs.

Children develop spatial intelligence when they play with puzzles, paint, clay and draw. Look for landmarks to find your way home. Encourage your children to use gestures to explain spatial relationships, like “This ball is this much larger than that one.”

For smaller children, play the matching game, and pair up blocks or shapes of the same size, shape and colour. Or play with blocks, build objects and tell a story about them.

Look for landmarks on your way home, and teach your children how to see something in their mind’s eye. Depending on their age, imagining can be as simple as thinking about how their bedroom wall will look when it’s painted a new colour, to how a website landing page would look in different colours.

Expose your children to music from a young age. Sing and dance with them and expose them to concerts and musical shows for kids. When children are small, use household items like pots, pans and pebbles in a bottle to create music.

Music teachers say that the ages from four to seven are ideal for starting to learn a musical instrument. Not only are kids’ hands and minds functional enough to play a tune, but they can actually begin to understand the basics of music.

Interpersonal skills are highlighted now, so look at how well your child gets on with other children. Pandemic lockdowns and social distancing rules has created an entire cohort of children who haven’t had much exposure to children outside their immediate family.

So schedule play dates. At the playground, encourage your children to play with other kids. Teach them to share toys and request for the toys (instead of grabbing), as well as take turns. it’s hard, but try to resist the urge to step in and solve every little spat for them. Instead, let them learn how to negotiate, stand up for themselves, co-operate and learn people skills.

Intrapersonal skills are those internal behaviors and attitudes that help us manage emotions, cope with challenges and learn new information.

Kids with good intrapersonal skills have resilience, and can handle a setback, and get right back in the game. These life skills relate to emotional intelligence and include things like: self-confidence. resilience and self-discipline. To help your child develop these skills, show your children that you love them. Encourage their efforts and explain your expectations clearly.

Children with Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence often love sports, dance and movement. Even if your child is not naturally active,  running around is good for their health.

In January 2022, Singapore’s first set of activity guidelines for early childhood was launched,  It was developed by the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to set a strong foundation for a healthy lifestyle in young kids.

For toddlers aged one to three –  the guidelines are at least 180 minutes of physical activities in a day. Outdoor and active play is highly encouraged.

For Preschoolers (three to under seven)  – at least 180 minutes of physical activities in a day, with a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.

So encourage your kids to walk, climb, run in parks. Let them explore with their hands through scribbling, drawing, dough play and water play

Show your children the wonders of nature. Go for nature walks in parks, beaches and nature reserves. Stroll by the river to touch, feel and observe nature. Use a magnifying glass to look at the small creatures around them, such as ants or beetles. You can also find maps for free nature walks and free nature workshops for kids at the NParks website.

Article was first published in Young Parents.  Updated March 2022

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