Guest Author - Jacqueline Geller

While toddlers appear to be having a great time playing with a cardboard box, they are actually learning and growing.

Toddlers are busy little people and play is their learning tool. It is important for Moms to remain engaged with their little ones as they pursue their busy days.

Toddlers are learning important physical and mental skills that will take them into the next stages of development. For example, physically, they are learning to walk and balance themselves independently. They are developing hand to eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills, differentiating between things they can pick up and things that are too heavy.

Mentally, they are learning to remember things, repeat what is said and think independently. They are also developing an imagination.

Each skill builds on itself, letting the child progress and master more.

It is imperative to encourage toddlers to keep moving and learning. Not only will they master more skills, they will learn to lead an active lifestyle at an early age. Sitting toddlers in front of the television to watch cartoons does not produce active teenagers.

A certain amount of quiet time is good; however, this should never be more than one hour periods during waking hours. Toddlers become too bored and tend to get into mischief if not occupied.

Great toys for toddlers at this stage are pull toys, dolls, blocks, large Legos and, of course, cardboard boxes. Toddlers love those boxes! They make houses out of them, tear them up, color on them and do things that completely amaze the adults in their lives!

Reading books to toddlers should be an interactive venture at this stage. The child should look at the book along with the reader. Instead of just reading the story, Mom can ask, “Can you show me the cat on this page?” “Do you see the green leaves on the tree?” Stories should be read in an excited tone of voice, so that the toddler learns vocal inflections as well. If Mom is happy reading the book, the toddler will enjoy reading throughout life, a vital skill and a wonderful pastime.

Toddlers also learn to occupy themselves at this stage. They should have a variety of activities that they can engage in independently. They will be only too proud to show Mom what they have done. Enthusiastic clapping and encouragement will prompt the child to do even more independently.

Toddlers who learn through play gain independent thinking, imaginative skills, reasoning abilities and many other things that will contribute to a purposeful, intelligent adulthood.