Extracurricular Activities for a Toddler
Play and activities are how your toddler learns about the outside world. Extracurricular activities help your toddler learn social, physical and cognitive skills to assist her as she grows. Encourage your child's imagination and development by spending time playing with her each day. Explore new activities and give your toddler information about choosing games or places to go.
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Visit the Playground
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Getting out in the fresh air and running around carefree are activities you can provide free for your toddler. Visit your local playground and let your toddler run, jump, explore and play (supervised, of course) until he runs out of energy. Invite other mothers and toddlers for added entertainment and some conversation for you. Make sure all the playground equipment is safe and free of any broken parts before allowing your toddler to play. Avoid public sandboxes that are not covered, as they might be used as a litter box for any stray cats in the neighborhood.
Toddler Classes
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Many communities offer some type of toddler classes during the week, either in the afternoon or evenings. Music or art classes usually are offered almost everywhere and consist of structured and unstructured activities centered around creativity and socialization. These classes give your toddler an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends and develop key social skills to assist in her transition to school.
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Dress Up or Puppet Shows
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Representational play helps teach your toddler about roles and expands his imagination. Turn a cardboard box into a stage or theater and use old socks to create puppet characters. Begin to tell a story and have your toddler act out the words, adding his own as he wishes. Or clean out your closet and let your toddler dress in mom or dad's clothes and shoes. Older toddlers might enjoy playing house or school with other same-age peers.
Reading
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Toddlers need quiet and introspective time just as adults do. Reading a book with your toddler is one way to make use of this time and teach her new, exciting concepts. Choose picture books and make up a story, having your toddler ask questions or add insight as you go. You can even create a storybook using paper, crayons and your child's imagination. Let your child take the lead and guide her as she creates imaginary characters, places and situations.
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