Games to Play With a 19-Month-Old Baby

Blocks

• Blocks are a wonderful game to build a toddler's spatial reasoning and to improve her hand/eye coordination. Sit on the floor with your toddler and show her how to stack a few blocks or build a tower, and then let your toddler knock them down. Encourage the child to wait to knock down the tower until you say you're done. This reinforces the concept of taking turns and teaches patience. You don't need store-bought blocks to play, almost any stackable container will work. Save clean deli or yogurt containers with their lids, shoe boxes or even plastic containers for this game.

Finger paint

• For completely non-toxic play, instead of the traditional paints, use thickened pudding or whipped cream. This activity can be played outside but also on an oversized piece of butcher paper on your kitchen floor. Your child will get messy, so dress accordingly. Let your toddler get creative making swirls and hand stamps. Brushes or washable stamps can also be used. For different colors, use different flavors of pudding or tint vanilla with food coloring. Once she is done, it's time for a bath.

Making music

• Toddlers love making noise, and any parent will tell you, they don't need a musical instrument to do it. Collect pots, pans, plastic bowls and wooden spoons out of the cupboard and set them around your child. Give her a wooden or plastic spoon and demonstrate how each container sounds when struck. Before you know it, your toddler will be performing with gusto.

Rolling ball back and forth

• This is a great game for hand-eye coordination. Sit a short distance away from your child and roll a large plastic or beach ball to her and ask her to roll the ball back. It may take some encouragement, but your toddler will catch on fast. Your child may be coordinated enough to kick the ball back and forth.

Clean up

• Capitalize on your child's desire to please and copy you by making clean up a game. Make sure blocks and toys are kept in containers. After you are done playing, show your child how to put the toys away. All it takes is a little praise, and your child will be eager to help. Take turns putting blocks, musical instruments, and any toy back in its container. Don't expect perfection. At this stage, it really is the effort that matters. Making this a part of game time will teach your child the habit of cleaning up after she is done playing.