Daily Activities that will Help Your Toddler's Growth and Development

As your child moves into the toddler stage, life becomes a little more exciting. He or she starts to walk, begins to learn some words and starts to be a little more interactive. However, it can still be hard to figure out fun activities that will help your child learn and grow. The following tips will help you prepare a daily schedule that you and your little one can both enjoy.

Read, read and read some more

Reading books to your toddler is important for a number of reasons. First, it makes your child feel special; they have your undivided attention as the two of you cuddle together and become lost in a world of make-believe. Also, reading helps with communication skills, listening skills, memory and vocabulary. It also introduces children to new concepts and helps them learn more about what the world is like.

Dedicate 20 or 30 minutes a day to reading with your child, on top of any reading you might do with them before bed. If you find you are having trouble holding your little one's attention, try to select books that have bright colors, large pictures and are possibly even interactive, like touch and feel books or lift the flap books. As your child develops a love of reading, you will be able to move on to more text rich pieces.

Introduce the basics early

While your 18 month old probably won't be reciting the alphabet right away, it is never too early to incorporate academic concepts into your play. However, do it in a fun way and don't push your little one too hard. You could, for example, form letters out of playdoh and have your child repeat the name after you. You could also buy some ABC flashcards and just take a few out at a time, scattering them around the room and calling out a letter to see if your child can find the right one. You can even turn every day, mundane tasks into learning opportunities; for instance, as you walk up or down stairs with your child, count and see how many there are. Your child will pick up on so much this way.

Get out of the house

Your child needs to see the world and have an opportunity to interact socially with other children and adults. Even if you don't have much extra money, there are things you can do together that are fun and free. For example, try checking out the local parks in the area. Your child will almost always find another little one to play with and they can burn off some of their energy. If you have a museum or zoo nearby, consider purchasing a membership. If you go often, the price per visit will be extremely affordable. Finally, find a mother's group that you can join. These groups typically get together at each other's houses or inexpensive local places so everyone can socialize.

Toddlers are a lot of fun to be around. Use the tips included above to make sure you help them develop into well-adjusted preschoolers.