Marilyn Lopes
Extension Specialist, Family Life Education
Cape Cod Extension
University of Massachusetts
Copyright/Access Information
Take some time to watch toddlers playing. Notice the differences in their development: height, weight, how they relate to you and to other children, and their energy levels. Some children seem to never sit still, while
others seem happy to sit down with a book. Toddlers learn by exploring and experimenting. They love to do things over and over.
- are curious.
- imitate animal sounds.
- can name familiar people and objects.
- combine two words to form a basic sentence.
- use the pronouns me and mine.
- use "no" frequently.
- name body parts and familiar objects in pictures.
- use objects for their intended purpose.
- begin to include a second person in pretend play.
- have a short attention span.
- can hold a pencil and scribble.
- are very active.
- have trouble knowing what is real and what is pretend.
- Roll a ball for them to catch.
- Provide safe mirrors for them to look at themselves. Talk with them about their reflections in the mirror.
- Let them fill containers over and over again.
- Let them push or pull a favorite toy.
- Look at picture books with them, and talk about the pictures.
- Talk about the size, shape, and texture of everyday objects.
- Make comparisons such as "this ball is bigger than that ball."
- Talk about cause-and-effect relationships such as "if you push this block, the whole pile of blocks will fall over."
- follow simple directions.
- use three or more words in combination.
- express their feelings and wishes.
- use objects to represent other objects.
- still have a very limited attention span.
- can memorize short rhymes.
- join in simple songs.
- begin to think about doing something before doing it.
- have trouble making choices, but they want to make choices.
- Encourage toddlers to run, jump, and climb outside.
- Sing songs with them, and act out songs with simple movements.
- Play pat-a-cake, and teach them simple finger plays.
- Tell them simple short stories, especially those about themselves or other two-year-old children.
- Let them pound a toy workbench.
- Give them water to measure and pour.
- Let them stack blocks and other objects.
- Provide things that can be taken apart and put back together, such as large pop beads.
- Ask children to name objects in pictures. Give them the correct word if they cannot think of it.
- Give them simple directions to follow.
- Play matching games and work simple puzzles with them.
- Encourage pretending by providing dolls, housekeeping toys, dress-up clothes, and toy telephones.
- Introduce art activities - scribbling or painting with crayons, chalk, and paint; play dough and finger paints.
- Begin toilet training, hand washing, and tooth brushing when the toddler is ready.
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