How to Play Games to Boost Toddler Development

Encouraging his development can be lots of fun for both you and your toddler. Between 12 and 36 months, your toddler is developing new skills and acquiring new ones on a daily basis, such as coordination, vocabulary and imagination. Spend time each day on age-appropriate games to help your toddler hone these skills.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic toy box
  • Soft toys
  • Child's plastic tea set
  • Large plastic bowl
  • Bucket

Instructions

    • 1

      Play a pushing-pulling game between the age of 12 to 16 months to help your toddler learn to walk. Fill a plastic toy box with soft toys and place it between you and your toddler. Her natural curiosity will make her instinctively reach out to hold it. When she grabs one side of the box and pulls herself up to a standing position, keep it secure by holding the other side. Pull the box toward you slowly, encouraging your toddler to walk. Before long she'll start pushing the box toward you.

    • 2

      Sit on the floor facing your toddler, who is also in a seated position. Sing a clapping song, like patty-cake. At the appropriate parts of the song, clap his hands together, or let him hold your hands as you clap them together. This will help him learn to clap on his own, which develops hand-eye coordination.

    • 3

      Host an outdoor tea party for your 16- to 20-month-old toddler on a sunny day. Use a child's plastic tea set and a large plastic bowl. Fill the bowl with water ("tea") and ask your toddler to pour you a cup. Practicing to fill the teapot and pour into the cups is good for her coordination.

    • 4

      Improve your toddler's hand movements and dexterity by taking him on a collecting mission. Go for a walk in the park or on the beach. Take a bucket to fill with any small objects he likes the look of, such as leaves, pebbles and sticks. Let him fill the bucket to the top, then empty it and start again. While you're out on your mission, talk to your toddler about things you see to develop his vocabulary and observation skills.

    • 5

      Develop your toddler's imagination and sense of rhythm with lots of music and dancing. Identify her favorite songs and play them frequently. Toddlers learn through imitation, so let her see you dance and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about looking silly - she will love it. Younger toddlers (20 to 24 months) can start with marching or jumping, while older toddlers can try to master specific movements in time to the beat of the music, such as stamping their feet and circling their arms.

    • 6

      Play chase with your toddler to increase his stamina. Let him run away from you (in a safe place) and shout, "I'm coming to catch you!" He's likely to squeal with delight and it won't be long before he lets you catch him, because he knows he'll be rewarded with a big hug or a tickle. Vary this game by pretending to be different animals; for example, he could be a squeaking mouse, you a purring cat.

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