Do you remember the preschool games? Those games were fun for your toddler but were they also good for your toddlers?

They played with their toys, on their little books, and on the floor and in their hair. While those games may have been fun for them, they could have been not that fun fun for you.

When your toddler is happy they will put their head on your shoulder and look at you. Even when they are frustrated they are usually looking at you.

Did they fall on their face? No, because they are actually enjoying the attention, like a puppy that is playing with the new toy.

When your toddler is very young they will look around the room, even on the floor. It may be hard to watch them, but they want you to watch them. Do not forget that you should always look at them even if you are looking at the floor.

When your toddler is very young they will make it possible for you to play with them. They will point at things, even on the floor. They will make room for you, so you can get them to move towards them. They will look at you even if they are still looking at the floor or another object.

They will try to engage with you. If you do not stop your music, they will stop what they are doing and put their hand in your direction. If you do not look at them, they will look at you. If you do not say something, they will say something.

They will look at you even if they are looking at something else. If you are not playing with them, they will make sure to get your attention. In this way, they learn to interact with you. The attention they get from you will teach them that you are interesting. At the same time, they learn to get attention from other people. It is one of the most effective and fun ways of learning.

Some Activities You Can Do with a Toddler (1 year old)

Tube Talk

• Required materials: empty paper towel tube
• What to do: talk or make silly sounds to your baby through a cardboard tube and see how she reacts and responds to the change in her normal voice. Let her take a look to see what sounds she can make.
• Skills learned: listening skills

Paper that sticks

• Required materials: transparent contact paper
• What to do: Cut a piece of paper at least 60 cm long. Remove the coating and stick it to the floor, adhesive side up. The surface will be sticky, so let your child have fun running, jumping, dancing, or simply standing on the paper.

Drums

• Materials needed: rattle, spoons, pots and pans, bells and cymbals
• What to do: make music using instruments you have at home Skills learned: coordination, listening skills, and musical exploration.

Playhouse

• Materials needed: Large cardboard box
• What to do: create a fort in a cardboard box. Include an entrance and an exit and encourage your child to enter and exit. Increase the entertainment factor with some pretend play, such as knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell and asking if anyone is home.
• Skills learned: social, gross motor, and exploring your environment

Phone call

• Required materials: toy or old telephone
• What to do: hand your child a phone and keep one for yourself. Pretend to make calls and have conversations with each other or with imaginary people.
• Skills learned: language and social development