Saying Names:  To help your toddler learn that people and objects have different names, touch an object and say the name.  Then take your toddler’s hand and touch the object and say the name again.  Now say “(your toddlers name) is touching the (object)”.  This can be done with all different objects and people.

Early Block Fun:  Make disposable blocks out of small milk cartons.  Cover the milk carton with paper and encourage your toddler to decorate them.  Play stacking game, allow them to knock the stack down.

Toy Sounds:  Encourage your toddler to make up sounds that they toys could make, or should make.  Example: Train, car, stuffed animals.

Oh, Hello: Make a pop-up toy by making a small hole in the bottom of a paper cup.  Put a straw through the hole.  Attach a round piece of cardboard to one end of the straw.  Draw a face on the cardboard.  Show your toddler how to make the face disappear.

Sink or Float: Gather together several items that will either sink or float.  Put water into a bucket and start putting each item in the water.  State either “float” or “sink” as appropriate.  Next time ask your toddler, “Do you think it will sink or float?”  Allow your toddler to find other items to see if it will sink or float.

Magazine Fun: Cut out magazine pictures of things that your toddler knows.  Tape the pictures to index cards and turn this into a card game.  Pick a card out of the pile.  Whatever you pick your toddler should pretend to be that.  For more advance, put the word on the back.

Puddle Watch: Play this game after it rains.  Find a puddle outside.  Draw a line around the outside of the puddle.  Watch throughout the day as it dries.  Explain what is happening.

Colorful Steps:  Tape construction paper squares in a path on the floor.  Use a few different colors.  Sing a favorite song, or play a favorite song while walking on the path.  When the music stops ask your toddler to name the color he/she lands on.  You can also use different shapes too.  For more challenging game, have your toddler walk over the paper, walk on the paper, walk next to the paper, or do other actions like hopping, jumping, tiptoeing.

Do you have any fun games that your children play?  We would love to hear them!

Ashley Myers