Children between the ages of 1 and 3 years old are looking for praise, challenges and interaction.  Keep them busy.  Create an activity time during the day to interact and bond with one another and to challenge your child’s learning abilities.  They will soon look forward to this time of the day and become more productive to please you!

In The Kitchen

Have you noticed your child watching you prepare dinner or a snack?  If so, they are taking an interest in what you are doing.  Let them try a simple recipe with you.

Snack ideas for your little ones

Keep the recipes simple.  You want your child to learn the concepts of cooking in a fun easy way.

Rice Krispy Treats- Always a fun easy way to make a yummy comfort of home snack for you and your toddler to enjoy together www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/the-original-treats.aspx.

Chex Party Mix- A fun and nutritious snack for all ages  www.chex.com/Recipes/RecipeView.aspx.

Arts and Crafts

Young children love to work with their hands and learn in the process.  Involve yourself in a special project and create bonding time with your toddler.

Using your hands

Finger paints- Toddlers love any chance to get messy, especially when mommy or daddy is doing the mess making with them.  This improves your toddler’s motor skills and creative ability.

Using yogurt with food coloring serves two purposes.  It can be your child’s finger paint as well as snack.  You know they are going to probably try to eat it anyway; why not make it healthy www.thriftyfun.com/tf684159.tip.html.

Coloring Note book- If your child loves to color, create a special note book.  Get a 3 ring binder, load with paper and let your toddler go to town decorating his/her book!

Children love structure and interaction

Have play time with blocks, build towers together, watch them as they study how you are making the object and try to imitate you.  Of course, you probably know they will knock it down as soon as you make it!

TV time together can be just as important to your child as it is to you.  Sit down with them and watch their favorite show, interact and smile at the things they usually do. This will make them feel good, as well as praised.

If you have a computer and allow your child to be on it, www.Nickjr.com offers many games, activities, as well as music videos and songs to listen to.

Story time with your child is a great way to help them learn new words and associate pictures.  The more they hear you say the words and look at the pictures to go with them, the faster they will learn.

It is always nice when you can share outside time with your child

If it is warm enough to go outside introduce your child to nature.  Show them different kinds of trees, plants, animals; you will be amazed at how fast they will learn what you showed them!  It is a great way to get exercise with your child as well.

Take your child to a baby gym or playground to have social time with other children or just special time with you.

Mix up the day for you and your child.

ENJOY!