Making the Most of Play Time With Your Toddler

Playing with your toddler is one of the best activities you can do to enhance her brain development. But, what does play that best stimulates the brain look like? Below are a few ideas to help you understand how to create developmentally effective play opportunities for your toddler.

 

 

• Anyone who has a toddler knows they are moving and busy and don’t always attend to play for very long. So, look for opportunities of play that simultaneously engage multiple developmental domains and fit their interests.

• Play games that use a lot of movement (motor skills) and language together such as songs with body movements like “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes” and “Hokey Pokey,” and singing & playing with musical instruments.

• Provide toys without on and off switches, that can be used a variety of ways and require creativity, imagination, and movement like: balls, blocks, and play-doh.

• Go outdoors! Letting your toddler explore outdoors while you point out and talk to him about items you find in nature and their colors, textures, shapes, and sizes. Toddlers can and do learn more through interaction with these materials in their natural environment.