Here are some simple suggestions for little ones ages 24-36 months that won't break the bank, will help them developmentally.
First, you want simple, sturdy toys that your children will come back to again and again.
The fancy, pricey toys are often the ones that gather dust. So go with your instincts and pick toys that seem straightforward, or use homemade toys that won't cost you a dime!
1. Dress up clothes, hats, belts, old shoes and costume jewelry. Children this age love to imitate other people...it encourages their imagination. So take a big cardboard box, decorate it with wrapping paper, construction paper, crayons or paints and fill it with old shirts, dresses, skirts, scarves, hats, gloves, and lots of accessories. If you throw in some puppets, dolls or stuffed animals and a few props, your little ones will soon be pretending they are taking their playmates to picnics, on vacation, to a tea party or to grandmom's house. Show them a mirror to see how adorable they look. Or make pictures and videos so they can laugh at their play acting. Make positive, excited comments even if they dress up like the opposite sex. It's important for them to try different roles.
2. Use Tupperware or yardsticks/rulers to make a miniature obstacle course inside or outside for your kids. Toddlers love the challenge and will be getting exercise. Encourage rough and tumble playing...give piggyback rides, roll on mats, hop, kick balls. Of course, small slides at playgrounds, swings and climbers are fun (with supervision).
3. Construction toys are a big hit. Children love trying to stack blocks in small piles, or knocking them over when you stack them. Blocks can be used to make roads for cars. Encourage them when they get frustrated...it's not easy to learn to place items carefully.
4. Use macaroni, corkscrew and other shapes of uncooked pasta mixed in a plastic bowl to teach them to count and group similar items. You start by asking how many pieces are there all together? How many corkscrews? How many macaroni? Can you make a silly face out of them? (You can help them glue it on construction paper. Make a few and give them as holiday presents from your toddlers!) You can also use pictures cut out of magazines or newspapers of similar or different objects and ask them to sort them based on which are alike. Pick out all the animal pictures. Find the pictures of people, etc.
5. Puzzles are terrific, especially extra large pieces with only 6-8 parts per puzzle. Your little ones are learning problem-solving skills and coordination as they interlock the pieces. Don't forget to praise their effort, not just the outcome! "You worked so hard on that...I'm really proud of the way you hung in there."
6. Finally, crayons, washable paints and blank paper are favorites, Young children can hold colored pencils and crayons better now and love to use their imaginations drawing, tracing, painting and dabbling in the arts. You can do it right on the floor with some old newspapers underneath, or on a small easel.
Enjoy playing with your adorable child!
Monica
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