Many parents may be wondering what the answer to this question is. But the answer is relatively simple, play! Playing is a detrimental part of any child’s developmental years. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that playing is what children are supposed to be doing. We focus so much on what we should or shouldn’t do while the answer is right in front of us.
Playing teaches toddlers essential skills like muscle control, coordination, and balance. These skills are laying the foundation for the more problematic physical abilities they need to master at a later stage like kicking a ball while skipping, running, or doing cartwheels.
Let them play
These may appear like trivial skills, but they are critical to children’s development and are the groundwork for academic success. And this is the reason why professionals in child development are getting so exasperated when toddlers are given writing skills to perform or worksheets to complete. Toddlers have an instinct to keep moving and playing, and that is precisely what they should be encouraged to do. They must climb, run and explore the world around them. This will instill the habit of staying active and healthy from a young age and will translate into adulthood.
How much activity should a child be engaging in?
The guidelines for toddlers from the ages of 12-36 months is as follows:
At least thirty minutes of adult-led structured physical activity.
At least sixty minutes of free play (unstructured physical activity).
Recommended toys
- Plastic cup and spoon
- Chunky interlocking plastic blocks
- Pop-beads
- Bucket and blocks
- Nesting rings/ cups
- Shape-sorters
- Activity boxes with buttons to push, dials to turn and switches
- Wooden puzzles (chunky types)
At these ages, no worksheets or writing must be expected. Pre-writing skills are developed at this stage through textures and play, free drawing or coloring, and painting with no expectations or pressure placed on them. If you are searching for a vast selection of toys for all ages, you can find more here.
Smart activity box toys are excellent toys that are designed specifically for kids of these ages, and it offers activities for the adult-led structured play sessions in the day. With toys like these toddlers and babies learn through play. Every box typically covers six months of play and has more than 100 activities that can be done at home in one-on-one settings. With this method, kids learn to explore, build relationships while having fun.
What are the physical activity skills that a toddler should be able to master?
12-24 Months old
- Pull and carry toys
- Ball kicking
- Walking backward
24-36 Months old
- Balance for one to two seconds on one foot
- Climbs well
- Throw a ball over their heads
- Starting to paddle a tricycle
- Starting to balance and riding on a balance bike
- Runs well
Conclusion
It is essential to allow a child to still be a child and to play. Too many children grow up too quickly and rely on apps and electronic devices to keep themselves occupied. And in the end, they are not learning essential skills that can only be taught through physical activity and play.
