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
Roller skates
Grow With Me™ 1,2,3 InLine Skates™
Barbie™ Grow With Me™ 1,2,3 Roller Skates™
Help your child learn more:
Safety first. Help your child put on appropriate safety gear; make it clear that it's part of the process before skating.
Set boundaries of acceptable places to skate. Make sure it’s free of obstacles or cracks your child could trip over.
Balancing act. Set adjustable skates on the beginner's setting. Just as you helped your child balance when he was learning to walk, hold on now. Little by little, let him find his balance—the key to learning to skate.
Moving on. Soon, she'll be able to move forward, transferring weight from one foot to the other. Get ready to change the skates to the next setting.
Family fun. If you have skates, put 'em on and head down the sidewalk with your child; if there's a roller rink in your area, check it out together some rainy afternoon—it adds a different dimension to skate along to music and lights.
Sports toys
Grow to Pro® Golf
Grow 2 Pro™ Junior 2-in-1 Tee Ball
Grow 2 Pro™ Junior Basketball
Help your child learn more:
Make adjustments. Whatever sport your child is trying out, make sure it’s at the right level. If you're using an adjustable basketball hoop, for example, put the backboard at its lowest setting for a 2-year-old. An adjustment feature on a sports toy lets you challenge your child as she grows and skills develop.
Great job! Praise specific actions to make your support more useful. Instead of saying, "Wow! You're a great player!" be precise. "You're really getting the hang of throwing that ball just hard enough to get to the hoop."
Put it in words. Paint the picture of your child's success: "Take your time and think about putting the soccer ball in the net." Make your words as descriptive as you can: "You kicked the ball right into the net. Your aim was great, and it went right in. Good for you!"
My turn … Help your 2-year-old learn about taking turns by introducing the concept of team play. "It's your turn to throw the ball … Now it's my turn to try."
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
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
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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 their self-co
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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
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