Terrific Toddler Tips
 
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Do All Day?
One of the questions I am most frequently asked is “what can I do with my child all day?” This list will hopefully give you a few ideas of activities a 10  - 30 month old child in particular will enjoy.
Two very practical books, Creative Family Times and Terrific Toddlers both have activities suitable for this age group. Details available from author.
As you continue to train your child in focusing and concentrating skills he/she will be able to persist at a task for many minutes. Aim for your two-year old to focus on a task for 20 minutes and your three-year old for 30 minutes.
  1. A.large plastic farm or zoo animals for sorting and imaginative play
  2. B.balls big, small, soft, hard, one or many with bats and hoops and nets.
  3. C.cars for boys and girls, trucks with little men to put in and out
  4. D.drawing with sidewalk chalk, roll-up crayons, magna doodle, thick pencils on one blank piece of paper or in plain or picture books.
  5. E.plastic egg set for putting in and out of the carton at first and matching later, also use to play ‘shops’. Learn colours and shapes.
  6. F.‘Fun Key Buggy’ was a NZ toy of the year winner. Just brilliant. Teaches colours, shapes, fine motor coordination and lots of fun too.
  7. G.board games with large pieces, especially spinners.
  8. H.playing ‘house’ i.e. washing clothes, cooking, looking after baby, ironing etc. with dress ups of course!
  9. I.interactive computer games, for example the “living books” range which tell a story, the child can simply watch from a high chair.
  10. J.wooden jigsaw puzzles with large pieces.
  11. K.child-sized piano keyboard with tunes and rhythms is a great treat for mat time
  12. L.lego, duplo or similar construction blocks
  13. M.box of mixed plastic musical instruments or home made variety, let your child explore and discover how each one works.
  14. N.toy nuts and bolts, and working tools, for ‘fixing’ other toys.
  15. O.outside play especially with equipment that encourages gross motor skill development.
  16. P.either the household or the toy variety of pegs– little ones love just putting them in and out of a container or on and off the rim.
  17. Q.quiet play in one spot, with only two or three noiseless toys.
  18. R.reading books using interactive, audio, multi-sized and covered books.
  19. S.a sandpit filled with trucks, molds, shovels and buckets will keep little ones very busy and happy.
  20. T.if all your toys are organized into sets in containers or boxes, it will be very easy to whip out a box for mat time. Rotate them often to keep the toys fresh. Pack up is quick too!
  21. U.useful box full of craft odds and ends such as paper rolls, tissue boxes, ice cream containers, coloured cardboard, crinkle paper. . . . .  
  22. V.seated safely into the high chair to watch an age appropriate video. A healthy snack or a few small toys can help the child last the full 25 mins.
  23. W.take a slow walk down your street and back. It’s lovely for both of you to be able to take the time to stop and explore God’s creation.
  24. Z.zzzz - sleep. One to two hours each afternoon and 10 – 12 hours every night will ensure you have a happy, well-rested toddler.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.
 
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