Fun Tips for Keeping Your Toddler Happy and Learning

Many parents realize that the toddler years are some of the most exciting and fun-filled times in the child-parent relationship. Developmentally, a toddler is rapidly transitioning from being dependent and relatively passive to being able to run, jump, climb, speak with confidence and an ever-expanding vocabulary, make choices about his or her clothing and food, and more-- all within the space of a few brief years.

This is also a very challenging time in parenting, however. With greater ability and freedom, toddlers are often overconfident, childishly unaware of the dangers of falling from the things they climb, and rebelliously resistant to the protective maneuvers of their moms and dads. They may become picky eaters overnight, refusing to eat anything but marmalade and toast for days on end. And the much-needed naptimes can even go out the window, depending on the toddler: some will nap happily each day through five years of age, while others will adamantly refuse to sleep during the day starting at age two.

Practically, parents want to know how to make the most of these fun, rewarding toddler years. While the answer to that is as individual as the child, we have put together some ideas for educational, easy playtime that will promote bonding between the parent and child. Read on!

Nightly Game Time

Just playing one nightly game with your toddler can easily become a much-loved tradition and a happy memory. Sometimes parents equate "playtime" with laborious trips to the playground or pool, which are great outings for now and then. They don't always realize that playing a silly, easy game like rolling a ball back and forth (toddlers love to be doggies and fetch the ball!) for ten or fifteen minutes after dinner can be just as much a bonding experience. Toddlers also love games that involve physical exercise, like dancing to music, being swung in the air, "riding a horsie" on their parent's back, running races, and tickling. Other easy games include playing drums with spoons and cooking pots, building with big wooden or plastic blocks, and playing with toy animals, dolls, or soldiers.

All of these kinds of games encourage learning for toddlers, giving them safe opportunities to practice physical coordination, work on their social interaction, learn new words, listen to music, and refine their motor skills.

Reading Stories

Storytime is such a special experience for toddlers and parents, especially older toddlers who are interested in learning their letters. Younger toddlers usually enjoy looking at simple picture books that show brightly colored objects they can identify, rather than actual story books. Either way, most libraries have large selections of picture books for all ages. Children can help choose the books for the week, and will quickly grow to appreciate a bedtime story, even if it's only to point out the cat on page two for the third time in a row and exclaim "Kitty!"

Many toddlers' books, although simple, are very educational, reinforcing awareness of colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. Furthermore, the better the experience the toddler has with books as a pre-reader, the more likely he or she is to be an enthusiastic reader later on.

Drawing and Coloring

Coloring is a great activity to do with toddlers, although younger toddlers may tire quickly of holding a pencil or crayon, and have to be watched carefully to prevent their coloring the walls! But older toddlers often respond enthusiastically if a parent asks to color with them. And coloring together is a good opportunity to try a little conversation with a toddler, asking him or her to identify the items in the picture, to review colors and shapes, or just to talk about how the day has gone.

Picnic and Movie

This is an activity the whole family can participate in. While watching movies and TV programs is a common family treat, there is often a lack of interaction as family members may choose to watch different things at different times. But taking a small picnic of finger foods, popcorn, or fresh fruit into the television room and sharing them while a fun family movie is playing is a great way to relax, and toddlers respond well to a casual atmosphere where talking and moving around, even while the movie is playing, is not only allowed but encouraged. This activity works best if the movie or program is one that all the family members have already seen, so that no one gets resentful at missing important dialogue!

Finally, parents should remember three things when interacting with toddlers. First, toddlers are very intelligent, but often have short attention spans. If the toddler is uninterested in an activity, or quickly loses interest, that does not mean that a parent has failed in any way! That's just the nature of a toddler. Second, toddlers have different sleep needs than adults, and their moods can shift quickly from obedient and agreeable to fussy, irritable, and even tearful and depressed when tired. Finally, while they are often surprisingly communicative and capable, toddlers are still very much "babies," even through ages four and five. Simple gestures of love, affection and joking, with patient instruction and discipline are extremely important, and will foster a healthy, thriving relationship.