Playing “let’s pretend” sets the stage for a rich imagination. It also helps your toddler make sense of things, express individuality and gain a sense of control. Check out our playtips and plenty of toys just right for this age.
She enjoys mimicking the actions of those she knows
He creates simple sentences and uses the words "I, me and you"
She can hop, jump and climb stairs one foot at a time
He understands what "inside," "under" and "on top" mean
She can recall what to do when given simple instructions
Role-play toys
Magical Tea for Two
Bubble Mower
Help your child learn more:
Take part in pretending. "Mommy needs a checkup. Will you take Mommy's temperature?" Encourage your child to imagine different possibilities and you'll be amazed how quickly she picks up on the idea and takes the lead!
Ask questions to encourage more input from your child. "Whose clothes are you washing today? … What are you baking in your oven? … When will it be ready to eat?" Open-ended questions help build language and thinking skills to move from imitating to imagining.
Encourage good manners during pretend play. If he's at a make-believe restaurant, show your 2-year-old how to put a napkin on his lap, and remind him to say "please" and "thank you" as food is served. If he's pretending to take a train ride, talk about how important it is to be courteous to other passengers.
Building playsets
Little People® Builders Build ’n Drive Dump Truck™
Help your child learn more:
Explore the toy with your child, expressing interest in its features and strengthening thinking skills by questioning how it works: "I wonder what happens when we put the ball in here? … What do you think will happen when we push this lever?"
Read picture books together about construction work. Point out construction vehicles when you see them on the road, and remind your child of their similarity to his toy.
Foster imaginative play and ability to follow directions by giving little construction "jobs" to do. "We need to unload those boulders over here. Can you help?"
Children develop at their own pace and reach milestones at different times. The highlights mentioned in this website are approximate guidelines only. If you have any questions about your child's development, consult your healthcare provider.
Copycat
Average Rating
out of 1 vote(s)
Your toddler is a great imitator—which is one of the ways he learns. Turn the tables on him and play a game of Copycat, where you do the imitating!
Materials
Your bodies
Instructions
Bring your toddler into the playroom and set him on the floor.
Sit down next to him, imitating his exact body position.
Every time your toddler moves or does something, do exactly what he does.
See if you can tell when he catches on to what you’re doing!
Safety
Stop the game if your toddler gets into anything dangerous and deal with the problem before you continue. Don’t tease your toddler or upset him with your imitating.
Never underestimate the value of play. That’s something I came to appreciate while training to become a child psychologist. Beyond being a lot of fun, playing provides so many benefits to children.
Among them:
It allows young children to communicate
Read More
What to Look for in a Toy
Children love to be creative and use their imaginations.Toys provide an opportunity for them to do just that, and play an important role in enriching children's lives. By giving children opportunities to be creative, you help develop thei
Read More
Tips to Promote Imaginative Play
Provide a collection of dress-up props for role-play.
Look at the clouds and take turns imagining what they resemble.
Plant seeds for imaginative thinking by reading lots of books together.
Provide toys that
Read More
_tcm219-11907.jpg)
