So you have a chunk of time to spare and a toddler who’s raring to go every day. What can you both do?
Some mums seem to know instinctively just how to play with and teach their toddlers, but when I was a new mum I often found myself asking “What next?” after Puppy and I finished the same puzzle for the fifth time in one day. Thankfully, I’ve discovered that it doesn’t require rocket science or expensive toys to engage a toddler in meaningful ways.
Here are eight things I love doing with my tots:
1. Sensory/Messy Play
This is so important for toddlers as they learn so much through the senses (primarily taste and touch) at their age. Give them the freedom to explore. My toddlers love playing with shredded paper, sand, mud and shaving foam. They also like helping me wash rice and vegetables, blowing bubbles, moulding with and sticking objects into play dough, and splashing in the the bath tub with scoops and boats. It’s tempting to avoid some of these activities particularly if there’s mess, but if we’re anxious or uptight about spills or “dirt”, our children may eventually feel squeamish about healthy outdoor play or artistic ventures like painting and gluing. To contain the mess somewhat, sensory play can be done in the bathroom, garden, on the kitchen floor or in a deep tray.
2. Imaginative/Role Play
Toddlers are keen observers and fantastic imitators. Give them opportunities for role play and imaginative play with tool kits, doll houses, prams, cooking sets and toy cookers. If you don’t want to bust your wallet, recycle cardboard boxes and toilet rolls. Make a simple mail box, car, boat, house, shop or even a space ship. Set up a miniature play scene with figures, objects and scenery to stimulate creativity, imagination and language development.
3. Heuristic Play
Toddlers often prefer playing with real life objects and recycled resources instead of electronic toys. Simple, open-ended exploration with recycled shoe boxes, cake tins, pots, pans and cardboard boxes offer the most interesting and natural play experiences. They love opening and closing containers, sorting and stacking them, stuffing smaller objects into them and figuring how to get them out. While I cook, they want to be nearby so I let them mess about with such materials on the kitchen floor. A win-win situation! I love that real life objects are within arm’s reach at no additional cost.
4. Outdoor Play
Some of the most cherished experiences my children have are those that happen outside the house. They hardly enthuse for long over plastic, store bought toys. More precious are the times we go walking in the rain, splashing puddles in the park, playing in sand and hunting for crabs at the beach, digging for worms in the garden, and exploring a waterfall. They also love throwing balls, riding a scooter, crawling through tunnels and zipping down slides in the playground. These activities keep them connected to nature and it feels so liberating; we try to do them as often as possible.
5. Creative Play (art, craft, music)
Setting up a creative corner at home with crayons, paints and paper will encourage toddlers to engage in artistic play regularly. Why not do some finger painting? Or paint with sponges or celery sticks? Keep a box of recycled materials and glue sticks nearby for tearing and sticking activities. Create collages using old fabric, buttons, sequins, dried flowers and twigs. Make maracas by filling recycled drinking bottles with assorted beans, rice and pasta. Fill a box with percussion instruments and dance with them to the music.
6. Reading and Storytelling
These are crucial for a toddler’s development of language and literacy skills, as well as to gain information generally. Read before naps, at bed time, and at the restaurant while waiting for a meal. Place books in most rooms of the house, in low level shelves or boxes for easy access. Use age appropriate books such as rhyming books and picture books, but also read from slightly more advanced books to expose your toddler to a wide range of vocabulary and concepts.
7. Talking
As your toddler’s most important and influential teacher, you’re constantly being watched and listened to. Converse with your toddler. Don’t let your days be filled with “do’s” and “don’ts”. Tell your child why it’s a perfect time to go to the park and who you’re going to meet. Ask him if he likes building with wooden blocks or Lego. Share cherished values that build character and stories about your childhood. Say why you feel happy at a particular moment and what makes you feel sad. Your toddler will learn meaningful interaction, conversational skills, facial gestures, eye contact, emotions and a lot more from what’s shared.
8. Hang Out and Relax
The early years can be exhausting and it can be tempting to diminish into a downward spiral of negativity. I go outside every day with my toddler to relax, enjoy the fresh air and to be stimulated by the sights and sounds of other people. We observe the weather, see pictures in the clouds, talk about the things we see. And when it gets too hot to stay outdoors, we can play in so many different ways at home.
Childhood is such a brief time. I hope my children will remember their formative days as fun, relaxed and free of pressure. A time when their parents talked with them, played often with them, sang and made music together with them. A time they were happy, independent and imaginative – all the things they still are, today.
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Jin Ai traded refugee work for diapers, dishes and homeschooling. She blogs about parenting, home education and life as mom to four kids at Mama Hear Me Roar.
