Hi, all activities offer some opportunity to communicate and learn, maybe approach this by looking at what communication could be present in an activity:
verbal and non-verbal eg: spoken language, sign language, body language, facial expression, communication through creative means eg if the activity is 'art based, markmaking, dance and then what the participation by others is expected or be or will be planned for - staff deployment/adult presence, other children and then if the activity is a solitary one, group, restricts or invites a number of particpants.
Then explore the possible learning/intellectual development that's involved:
EG. discovering new information, understanding that new information, applying the new information to children's play and social interation, identifying solutions/problem solving, reinforcing a child's exisiting knowledge, generating ideas, social awareness & getting along with each other.
To help you plan an activity how about comparing different types to see what best fits your setting, its resources and your need..
Maybe a table top filled with jigsaws V new resources in a role play area.
Circle time songs V water play - regular resources or themed focussed
Dough play activity V musical instruments
Outdoor game of what's the time Mr Wolf V indoor game involving balls and buckets
Computer based game V table top crayons & paper
magnets V bubble blowing
Maybe use a festival or celebrational activity? - Halloween, christmas, autumn or winter?
Visit by a storyteller V climbing frame activity
Dressup box
Small world role play area
Easel painting
This quote from page 18 of the
nvq level 2 child development pdf on Pearson schools & FE colleges helps to provide links for further research into children's cognitive & social learning theory.
Quote:
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Intellectual development
Cognitive or intellectual development is about how children learn, think and develop ideas.
This is one of the areas of development that is strongly influenced by the experiences a child has. Learning the names of animals is only possible if a child has been told them.
This applies to almost any knowledge or skill.
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Hth