Overview
Play is an essential part of a toddler's development, giving them the foundation for physical, cognitive, and social skills. It is also great for building a healthy appetite. Through play, toddlers learn to explore their world and the space around them, how to talk and say what they are thinking and feeling. They also, gain body confidence and build relationships, all while having fun.
Play is a wonderful way to bond with your toddler, support their development, and build their curiosity. With a mix of activities, adventure, discovery and gentle guidance, you can create a positive and helpful play experiences for your child.
Why Play is Important for Toddlers
Play is not just about having fun; it’s a powerful tool for learning and growth. The toddler period is from 12 months up to the end of their second year of life. There is a lot of change in their abilities over that time. Play is the ‘work’ of early childhood, it is what helps them build their brains and reach their milestones which builds their self confidence and trust in the people that care for them.
Ideas for play in the toddler years
- Support them to do things like running, climbing, kicking a ball. This helps them use their legs and arms with confidence. Threading string through beads, stacking blocks or putting shapes in a hole, helps them with the fine skills of movement and control.
- Toddlers typically, like to watch and learn from others but not necessarily join in their play. Joining a playgroup or being with friends or family with young children can help them learn from each other by watching and doing.
- Hiding and chasing games are fun, even though this age group often prefers to be seen while they are hiding. So don’t be surprised when they hide but are only half hidden, act surprised and see the joy on their face when you find them.
- Let your child explore and use their imagination when they feel bored. Encourage them to think of activities they enjoy or let them wander and find something that catches their interest. Toddlers love to copy what you do—if you’re wiping cupboards or dusting, give them a cloth and let them join in! It’s a great way for them to learn through play.
- Set up a few simple play options and let your child choose what they want to do. For example, you could place some blocks in one area, books with soft toys for "story time" in another, or a few cars or dolls nearby. Let your child explore and use their imagination without telling them how to play with the toys. This helps them experiment, be creative, and enjoy their own ideas. Your encouragement and excitement while they play can boost their confidence!
Engaging in Play with your Toddler
Parents play a crucial role in fostering a positive play environment. Here are some tips to help you engage with your toddler through play:
- Follow your toddler’s lead: Allow them to guide the play; this shows respect for their choices and gives them confidence.
- Play at their level: Sit down on the floor with your toddler so you can make eye contact and engage fully.
- Ask open-ended questions: Simple questions like, “What happens next?” encourage them to think creatively and expand on their ideas.
- Provide labelled praise and encouragement: Celebrate their efforts and remember to focus on what they are doing during the play rather than the result. For example, “look at the concentration you are using when you line up the cars, great effort” “I like the way you rocked your baby doll just then, that was very caring”
- Rotate toys and activities: Introducing new or rotated toys keeps play fresh and stimulating while allowing your child to explore different skills and interests.
- Be realistic about the attention span of your toddler: Toddlers often move onto new activities within short periods of time. For example, 10 minutes is a long time for focusing for some toddlers, especially if they are tired, or have other needs like they are hungry or need a different type of play.
Fun Play Ideas for Toddlers
Here are some other fun and useful play ideas for toddlers:
- Pretend play: Let your toddler explore different roles, such as playing "house," doctor, or chef, the family pet. Give them props like play food or toy tools to enhance the experience, try using different voices and sounds to go with the play. Collect large cardboard boxes, they make great robots, houses or cars/ busses!
- Outdoor play: Take advantage of the outdoors for running, climbing, and exploring nature. Simple activities like playing in sand, splashing in water, or collecting leaves can be highly engaging.
- Building activities: Stacking blocks, Duplo, or soft foam blocks allow toddlers to create structures while developing motor skills and problem-solving abilities.
- Art and craft: Toddlers love to express themselves through simple crafts. Offer non-toxic crayons, finger paints, or playdough to let their creativity flow. Bubbles, dry rice in jars as shakers, non-toxic food colouring in water for supervised water play can all be lots of fun.
- Musical play: Introduce basic musical instruments, sing songs, or dance. Try stop and start games. This helps develop rhythm, listening skills, and gross motor movement.
- Sensory bins: Fill a shallow container with safe materials like rice, sand, or water and let them explore textures. Supervise closely to ensure safety.
Tips for Safe and Rewarding Toddler Play
- Safety first: Choose age-appropriate toys without small parts, and supervise closely, especially with water, messy or outdoor play. Avoid toys with button batteries.
- Balance structure and free play: While some structured play is beneficial, allowing for plenty of unstructured, free play encourages creativity and independence and can be less stressful.
- Create a play-friendly space: Make a safe, dedicated area where your toddler can freely explore without restrictions. Toddlers will still want to know you are close by or know you can see them as they play.
- Support their exploration: Let them test boundaries within safe limits. This can help boost their confidence and autonomy practicing crawling, climbing, going up and down steps or ladders. You are close enough to step in if help is needed, with most of your time, watching and enjoying them try things on their own.
