The Active Toddler

Engaging The Active Toddler

Don't think your child is ready to sit down with a crayon? Do you have an active toddler? There are many other activities that can reinforce basic concepts such as color, numbers and alphabet while also enhancing gross motor skills. We have come up with a few simple games that you can do outside with few materials. Keep in mind that an activity at this age may hold your child's attention for only 5 minutes. The amount of time will continue to increase if you are consistent with how you set up, and how often you engage in any structured activity. Having structured activities can also help your child prepare for pre-school. Learning to transition from one activity to another is a great skill to prepare your child for their first school experience.

Games Reinforcing Basics

Here are some games that you can play with your active toddler. These games are designed to help reinforce colors, numbers, gross motor skills, concentration, and following directions. Young children are able to learn in different ways and for an active toddler a physical game will probably hold their attention for a much longer period of time.

• Learning Colors With Balls
• Duck Tape Highways
• Chalk Race Track
• Stepping Stone Games
• Cardboard House
• Red Light Green Light and Stoplight Grahams
• Water or Sand Table Activities

Other Engaging Activities

• Singing Songs
• Finger Plays and Reading Stories with Puppets
• Backyard Nature Walks
• Label Fun (label items around the home)
• Sensory Boxes
• Sand Tables
• Scavenger Hunts
• Bean Bag Toss with colored bean bags
• Building with Blocks
• Toddler Riding Toys

Creating a Learning Environment

Indoor play areas with colorful Alphabet mats and lots of visual stimuli for your toddler can provide learning while playing as well. There are many different indoor play areas you can create. An open area with soft mats or an enclosed colorful play area works well. Indoor jungle gyms are also available and with supervision are a great way to burn that extra energy. Make sure to use lots of language while they are playing which also helps build comprehension and communication. Talk about colors, numbers and shapes.