Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

Toddlers are avid explorers. They investigate everything with wide-eyed curiosity; they continually experiment to discover how a toy is made and what happens when it is thrown. For these reasons, toys for this stage of childhood should be especially able to withstand hearty play.

Toddlers are happy exploring and discovering at their own pace; therefore, do not force your child into tightly structured play activity. Likewise, when introducing a new toy, let your toddler leisurely get acquainted with it before suggesting a particular game or activity. Although your child requires extremely close supervision, he or she also needs some freedom to play alone joyfully without interacting with you.

Some structure in your toddler's play is desirable. For example, plan predictable periods of each day that your child can count on for play, but then let your child decide about playing together or all alone.

Most of a toddler's play with other people is with family members. Your child may enjoy playing alongside of you and imitating some of your activities like cooking, gardening, or laundering.

Although your child may play near other children, do not expect your toddler to share and play cooperatively. Toddlers tend to be self-absorbed. If your child is playing among a group of children, provide plenty of play materials so cooperation does not become a problem.

Finally, your toddler may become quite attached to a favorite toy and carry it around just about everywhere.

See also:

Play Materials for Toddlers