1. This Belongs To…  -- Your toddler has an increasing sense of self and an interest in what is “mine”. So for fun and with your child’s help, start putting your child’s name on some of his or her personal items (books, bags, placemat, bed, towel, etc.). Masking tape and a permanent marker work fine. Computer-printed mailing labels are fun too. To make a literacy connection, point out the letters in your child’s name as you apply the labels.

2. Rainbow Match --Toddlers are very aware of colors and begin to learn the names for each. To take advantage of this curiosity while playing, draw a rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) with your child on a large piece of paper or several pieces taped together. Then ask your toddler to find items for each color on the rainbow and place them on the matching area of the rainbow drawing. This game works very well outside in the spring and summer.

3. Mini Hide ‘n Seek—Because you need to keep close supervision of your toddler, you may want to wait for a traditional game of hide ‘n seek. However, mini hide ‘n seek is age appropriate and sure to please. Simply take a favorite object and hide it in a fairly easy to find place. Depending on your child’s age, you may want to leave the object sitting out in another room or only partially hidden. Give lots of praise when it is found and then start all over again.

4. Cloud Bag—Fill a quart-sized, freezer Ziploc bag halfway with shaving cream. Add a few drops of food coloring, if desired. Seal the bag, leaving little or no air in the bag. Then fold over the top and tape it shut with packaging tape (to help avoid a messy blow out).  Now hand the cloud bag to your toddler and let her squish and poke at the foam. Guaranteed to please.

5. Guess What This Is—While out of your toddler’s sight, place a small, familiar item in a bag. Then simply let your child reach in the bag and try to identify the item using only the sense of touch. Be prepared to play it several times and then to take a turn guessing at objects that your toddler chooses. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: a fork, a toy car, a puzzle piece, or a crayon.

6. Learn Animal Sounds—Silly sounds from mom or dad and pictures of animals…what could be more fun. Start with two of three animals that you know your child has an interest in, such as dog, cat, and bird. You will be amazed at just how many animal sounds your child can remember over time. A trip to the library should supply you with plenty of animal picture books.

7. Tape Your Child’s Voice—What a toddler accomplishes in language development is miraculous. If you pay close attention, you could notice slight changes in pronunciations as well as vocabulary daily. Taking some time to make a sound file of your child’s voice now will be treasured later, but your toddler will love to hear himself right away too.