Parenting a toddler can be both challenging and rewarding. We have practical tips on toddler behavior , basic care and bedtime routines. Keep informed with our health, safety and development tips. Need ideas for ways to play with your toddler? We have made it easy with our toys and activity suggestions.
10 TV free activities for toddlers
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children under the age of 2.
Source: Oklahoma department of education
Here are some TV-free activities to do with your toddler:
- Give your toddler a bucket of water and a large paintbrush and let them paint outside on the pavement, driveway, fence etc
- Follow the Leader - Put on some music and have your toddler do what you do - touch your nose, reach up high, stamp your feet, turn around, clap your hands, wriggle your toes, touch your elbow, shake your head etc. Toddlers love to imitate others and this is a great way to learn and reinforce the names of body parts.
- Let your toddler rip colored tissue paper or crepe paper into strips and glue them onto a large sheet of paper. This activity is good for developing fine motor control in the fingers.
- Make a car/boat/bus with some large cardboard boxes. You can use crayons to draw on the wheels, windows and headlights. Give your child a ride, or let them push some soft toys around.
- Basket ball - Take turns at throwing a large soft ball into a laundry basket or box. Learning to throw takes a lot of co ordination and this activity encourages your toddler to gain control of the large muscles in the arms.
- Have your toddler try banging a wooden spoon on pots, pans or plastic bowls; shaking a large rattle or shaking a securely closed plastic container filled with beans, buttons or other noisy items; and blowing through toilet-paper or paper-towel rolls.
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat - This game works on strength and flexibility, while also teaching about cause and effect. Sit facing your child with your legs apart and your child's legs straight out, between yours. Holding your child's hands, lean forward, and encourage him to lean back as far as he can. Pull him gently back up to a sitting position. Repeat.Also: Sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as you gently rock back and forth. As your child becomes stronger, you can also lean backward yourself, causing him to lean forward.
- Pop Goes the Weasel - Hum or sing this age-old favorite, asking your child to move around the room in any way he wants until the "pop," when he should jump into the air. Later, you can ask him to jump and change directions when he hears the pop.
- Take photos of your toddler's favorite people, toys, pets, places etc and put them into a photo album along with his favorite songs, rhymes or simple stories. This can be your toddler's very own book and he will love to sit with you, point out and name all of his favorite things.
- Make up a song or story with your child's name in it. Change the words to match his actions or feelings.
Source: Oklahoma department of education
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