How to Play With a Toddler

A beginning step in a child’s socialization and learning is play. They learn through every aspect of play and it can be a great opportunity to not only interact with your child but teach as well. Playtime is important bonding time for a toddler as well as a way to develop new skills. Simple games, ideas and creativity is all a toddler needs to enjoy themselves and your company as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Age appropriate toddler toys

1. Keep things simple. Toddlers can’t comprehend a lot of rules or complex ideas around play. That is why something as simple as blocks is great for playing with a toddler. Repeating the task of stacking over and over again gives a toddler time to master the skills of stacking and seeing how the blocks set on top of each other. Simple also means that the toys can be basic and uncomplicated. Besides blocks, balls, ride-on toys, dolls, trains and cars are all simple toys that can entertain a toddler easily with big results. This isn’t the time to bring out the board games or introduce new rules to playing.
2. Give your undivided attention. If you go to the park, turn off your cell phone or ignore the calls. Don’t bring a book you’ve been dying to dive into. This is your child’s time. You are on their clock and it's best you parent and be in the moment with them. Your toddler needs to see that you are enjoying this time as much as they are enjoying being with you. Toddlers, as well as older children, take comfort in the knowledge that you are involved and care about what they are doing. A toddler will know if you are not invested in playing with them.
3. Let your toddler lead. Sometimes the best play happens when you take a back seat and let your toddler run the show. Let them direct you in what to do and how to play. Your involvement may be minimal, such as making the choo-choo sounds of a train while they push it along the tracks. It all depends on the creativity of your toddler. Sometimes they don’t need your participation at all and only want your companionship. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself on the outside of play looking in as they entertain themselves. Use this opportunity to talk about what they are doing and let them tell you in their own words how playing with them works.
4. Be prepared for the unexpected. Life with a toddler is full of surprises. Unexpected and unplanned moments happen at the drop of a hat. In one moment you can be having tea with your toddler with her tea set and the next moment an ogre size temper tantrum sets in over cookies or you’ve run out of “tea.” These things happen and it’s best to roll with it. When a moment like this comes on, pack up the tea set for awhile, switch activities, or take a break from play altogether with your toddler. A temper tantrum is usually brought on by over stimulation, or being tired or hungry--and even those possibilities might not be what is at the root of the tantrum.
5. No matter how you choose to play with your toddler, make it fun; make it inviting and safe for them. You will find that not only will you be teaching them but they will teach you a thing or two as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Playing is an opportunity to learn.
• Offer only one or two choices.
• Follow the toddler's cues.
• Do not force a toddler to finish an activity or game.
• Do not try to start a new activity if the toddler is hungry or tired.