Tips for Toddler Development

Although your toddler may not need a lot of toys or activities to stimulate them, the right ones are important. If you provide them with the right toys, their imagination will soar. Toddlers grow more curious by the day, and encouraging that natural curiosity with toys and activities will help them learn more about their environment.

Activities and Toys with Bright Colours and Music

As their sight and hearing develop, one-year-olds find vibrant colours and sounds stimulating. It's easier for them to distinguish between different colours and sounds at this age, making it the perfect time to develop skills with colourful objects and sounds through play.

Musical instruments like rattles, bells, drums and cymbals are easy to handle and fun to play with. Many online sites such as Amazon sell these musical toys specifically designed for every developmental stage of toddlerhood.

You don't have to splash out on expensive toys to stimulate the development of your toddler. You can use stuff around the house, such as pots, pans, and spoons are excellent replacements for mimicking musical sounds. Musical exploration help develop coordination and listening skill in toddlers.

You can develop sensory skills and creativity in your toddler by engaging in hand- or finger-painting activities. Remember to use bright colours rather than pastels, and identify colours as you work with them. Although your one-year-old won't repeat the colour names just yet, this creates a cognitive link between visual clues and words.

Activities and Toys That Encourage Movement

Since most babies start or can walk by the time they turn one, doing activities with them that encourage movement is an excellent way to develop new skills.

You can opt for toys that they can push or pull around or bring movement into other activities. Whichever you choose, getting them to move while playing is excellent for their development.

Another great way to encourage movement during playtime is with a tunnel. Although some children may be wary at first, toddlers usually find tunnels fascinating. Allow your toddler to commute through the tunnel - either to you, a reward, or to fetch toys.

Movement during playtime encourages toddlers to focus more on what they're doing. It helps with sensory processing, and they learn the critical skill of completing a multi-step sequence!

Activities and Toys That Require Coordination

Toys that boost coordination skills are essential at the one-year developmental stage. These include puzzles, shape sorters, peg toys, sensory boards, stacking toys, and interactive books.

When your toddler plays with any of these, they will develop their coordination skills and learn how to problem-solve. Many of these toys are available from well-known online retail platforms like HelloBaby or Etsy. You can even make them yourself if you like a bit of arts and crafts!

teaching your toddler to roll or throw a ball, string beads, touch different body parts like their feet or knees, or dance are activities that don't require any toys and also encourage coordination!

Activities and Toys That Encourage Discovery

Discovery baskets are one of the easiest activities to set up for your toddler. They can be put together in an endless number of ways, and as long as you use age-appropriate items in terms of safety, you have no other limitations.

When toddlers explore a discovery basket, they observe new things independently while in a safe environment. When you put together a discovery basket, think about the items in terms of shape, size, texture and appeal.

The things should spark curiosity in your toddler, though they can be everyday items that your child might be exposed to.

To make a discovery basket, you simply fill a container with whatever you have around the house. These can be safe utensils like a spoon, fruits or vegetables, paper balls, a cloth bag, toys, a bath sponge, and even a muffin tin. Allow your toddler to explore these items as they please, using all their senses to discover what the item is.

Focusing on activities and toys that mentally and physically stimulate your toddler is extremely important. Stimulation during toddlerhood improves curiosity, memory, attention span, sense development and attention span.

Not only will your toddler play and learn with stimulation activities and toys, but you'll also give them a headstart in reaching milestones at a faster pace, encourage fine and gross motor skill development, and their confidence will skyrocket!