The basic need of toddlers is the opportunity for sufficient movement. The reason is simple: movement provides essential impulses to their still-developing brain. German journalist Doro Kammerer, author of the book The First Three Years of a Child's Life, emphasizes:
"Motor experiences form the essential foundation for the development of a toddler's intelligence. Age-appropriate movement skills are at the heart of a child's self-confidence and social recognition. Moreover, good motor skills are a kind of life insurance against the various dangers of everyday life."
Playtime and safety
Toddlers love to play. They may encourage you to play more energetic games by laughing and squealing with excitement. However, be mindful of how intense these games become. Lifting the child high into the air, rough shaking, strong vibrations, or sharp head tilting backward are not safe, especially for children with delayed motor development or hypotonia (low muscle tone).
Pay attention to the child's fragile joints from the wrist to the shoulder. If these joints are suddenly overloaded by the child's entire body weight — for example, if you hold the child by one arm and spin them around or lift them by one arm — it can lead to dislocation or ligament tears. Always hold the child under the arms (in the armpit area) to avoid unnecessary strain on the joints.
Exploration and routine
Toddlers are naturally curious little beings, but try not to overstimulate them. They enjoy being in a familiar environment where they feel safe and have a consistent routine. Their home becomes a secure haven where they can retreat when the outside world becomes overwhelming.
It is not necessary to create a full-day entertainment program. Instead, plan some time for outdoor walks, visits to playgrounds, forests, playdates with friends, or trips to see grandparents. But also allow for simple home playtime with parents, as these moments of shared play have a significant impact on a child’s development.
Between the first and second year, children enjoy playing with water, mud, and sand. They like to put objects inside one another — such as blocks or boxes. They are also drawn to toys that make sounds. As they develop their walking skills, they become interested in toys that can be pulled on a string. Hide-and-seek games — whether it's the parent, the child, or a toy that hides — are beloved by children because of the suspense, mystery, and the joy of discovery when something is found.
They are drawn to climbing frames, where they can climb, slide, and swing. Even chase games can be played with a toddler or even with a bored teenager. However, toddlers still lack the ability to stop quickly or judge distances accurately. Therefore, it’s important to ensure they don’t bump into obstacles while playing.
Support for toddler development:
1-2 years
At the beginning of this period, the child may still be crawling or just starting to walk. Even if they are already walking, crawling remains an excellent activity for developing body awareness, strengthening deep core muscles, improving movement coordination, enhancing the cooperation of brain hemispheres, and hand-eye coordination.
Language and cognitive development
Name everything you do and everything the child points to. Talk often, sing songs, and recite nursery rhymes. Looking at picture books (leporello books) with mom is a favorite activity for relaxation. Hide-and-seek games are also popular, where either people or objects can be hidden. Toddlers enjoy building hideouts or playhouses. Simply drape a blanket over a chair or table, and you have a cozy house — a safe place for quiet play.
Motor skills development
Ball activities are always fun. You can try to knock down empty PET bottles with a soft ball or sit on the floor opposite each other and roll the ball back and forth. Toddlers also enjoy playing on a large gymnastics ball.
For fine motor skills, use various puzzles, toys that can be inserted into boxes, and large beads for threading. Try activities like:
Passing objects from one person to another,
Stacking blocks,
Simple puzzles,
Threading toilet paper rolls onto a jump rope, or
Putting objects into a box and taking them out again.
Activities
Activity: Obstacle course
Create a playful obstacle course from household items like pillows, small steps, stools, tunnels, and rocking toys to support balance and coordination. Kids can crawl under tables, climb over obstacles, or walk along narrow paths. Even the legs of a parent lying on the ground can become part of the course. This activity is best done barefoot to support foot development and sensory stimulation.
Activity: Sidewalk chalk drawing
Let your child draw on the ground with chalk. This activity is most enjoyable outdoors for easier cleanup, but you can also use a large chalkboard at home. Drawing with chalk develops creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
2 -3 years
Gross motor skills
Toddlers become increasingly physically skilled. They start riding a push bike (balance bike), walk backward, and can even balance on one foot for a short time. Try playing games like:
Standing like a stork (balancing on one leg),
Jumping like a frog,
Walking on tiptoes, or
"Picking apples from a tree" (reaching high with extended arms).
You can also practice upright walking by placing a small bag of rice or a stuffed animal on the child's head. Over time, you can increase the challenge by having them walk over small obstacles.
On walks, encourage your child to:
Walk on curbs or narrow edges,
Walk along benches,
Follow a drawn or marked winding path, or
Walk backward.
If you have a little football or basketball player, try kicking or tossing a ball with them.
Obstacle courses remain a favorite activity, and they are also great for motor development! 😊
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills improve at this age, so you can start with activities like:
Threading large beads or buttons on shoelaces,
Sticking paper,
Drawing on large sheets of paper, and
Finger painting (which toddlers love!).
Finger painting on the body is a unique sensory experience, but make sure to use safe, child-friendly paints.
To support the development of the rotational movement of the wrist, try activities like:
Playing with nesting dolls (matryoshka) or stackable animal toys,
Twisting bottle caps on and off, or
Pressing buttons on sound-producing toys.
Encourage your child to sort toys by color, type, size, or material. While sorting, name the colors and explain what you're doing (for example, "We’ll put the cars here and the soft plush toys over there").
Self-awareness and sensory play
Self-awareness games are especially suitable at this age. One classic game is a good tickle session! Other fun activities include games for hands and feet, such as:
"Pat-a-cake",
"The little mouse cooked porridge",
"Climbing on the iron",
"Forge, forge, little blacksmith", and
"When I grow up".
For older toddlers, you can play "Guess the drawing". Gently "draw" simple shapes or images on your child's back with your finger, and have them guess what it is.
To develop their sense of hearing, put different materials (like peas, sugar, coins, paper, or water) into small plastic containers. Shake them and ask the child to guess what's inside by the sound.
Musical toys help children recognize tones, pitch, and rhythm. You can:
March or jump to the rhythm of music,
Let your child tap out a rhythm on a drum (or even a pot lid),
Use bells, rattles, or clapping to keep the beat.
Imaginative and role-play games
Thematic role-play games are fantastic at this age! Toddlers love playing:
Mom and dad (caring for dolls or plush toys),
Cooking (pretending to cook in a toy kitchen),
Shopkeeper or customer (playing store),
Doctor or nurse (pretending to treat stuffed animals or family members),
School, or
Restaurant.
Activities
Activity: Mirror play
In this game, the child observes and copies your movements, facial expressions, and gestures, just like a reflection in a mirror. This improves their self-awareness, motor skills, and observation skills.
Activity: "Bicycle race"
Lie on the ground on your back with your child lying down opposite you so your feet touch. Move your legs in a pedaling motion, as if riding a bike. Speed up as if you're "going downhill" and slow down as if you're "climbing a big hill."
Activity: Ball rolling with a scarf
Take a large scarf. You and your child each hold two corners. Place a ball on the scarf and roll it back and forth between you. Try not to let the ball fall off! This activity supports coordination, teamwork, and concentration.
Author of the article: PhDr. Marja Volemanová, PhD.
Main sources:
Kleplová, Věra; Pilná, Dobromila (2006). Našemu sluníčku, buď fit od narození po školu. Olomouc: Anag, 2006. ISBN 80-7263-357-0
Lazzari, Simona (2013). Vývoj dítěte v 1.-3. roce. Praha: Grada, 2013. ISBN 978-80-3734-8
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