| Your older toddler has distinct characteristics and | | | | intricate, ranging from 4-12 pieces. Knobs are still |
| abilities that should guide our choices for toys | | | | a helpful addition to puzzle play. |
| they will love and learn from. When we consider | | | | Manipulative toys that fit together with about five |
| choosing toys for our wonderful two's (who are | | | | to ten pieces and nesting toys with multiple pieces |
| never, ever, actually really terrible!) let's look at | | | | including toys that require a screw type motion |
| their physical, mental and social abilities and | | | | Number counting boards with large pegs, shape |
| interests in the same way we viewed the | | | | sorters, pounding, hammering toys, dominoes, |
| younger toddlers in my earlier article. | | | | lotto matching games, large colored beads, (at |
| Physically, older toddlers are skilled at most simple | | | | least 1¾ inches in diameter), lacing cards, |
| large muscle skills and do lots of physical testing. | | | | dressing books and dolls, frames for buttoning, |
| They jump from high places, roll, gallop, | | | | lacing, snapping and hooking. Sand and water play |
| somersault and rough and tumble wherever and | | | | toys such as nesting tub toys small boats (no |
| however they can. Older toddlers like to throw | | | | metal parts) small and large sandbox tools. |
| and retrieve objects. They have good finger/hand | | | | Make believe play becomes more detailed and |
| co-ordination by about the age of 2 1/2 to three | | | | developed at this point. Lots of soft bodied baby |
| years of age. Lots of active play with small | | | | dolls that are more realistic with hair and moving |
| objects and exploration of different types of | | | | eyes. Doll accessories that are simple and sturdy |
| materials is of high interest to this age group. | | | | such as changes of clothes (with easily removable |
| Mental interests include the attributes of objects: | | | | garments using large hook and loops, or large |
| texture, shape, size and color. Matching, | | | | snap fasteners), bottles, blankets. Also: lots of |
| patterning, grouping, sequencing, are emerging | | | | stuffed toys and pliable animals having mother and |
| skills to be mastered. Drawing, constructing, | | | | baby combinations. Small and large puppets are an |
| painting and cutting are all more important as a | | | | age old standby. |
| process than leading towards a final product. | | | | Musical instruments would include all rhythm |
| Children are able to begin to solve problems with | | | | instruments such as bells, rattles, cymbals, drums, |
| materials, situations and other children. Imaginary | | | | triangles, xylophones, sand blocks. Horns and |
| play becomes somewhat more complex and is | | | | whistles may be added around 2 1/2. |
| frequently carried out alone or with an adult | | | | Art and Craft materials at this stage become |
| (parents are still a primary interest) and begins to | | | | pre-writing tools: large crayons, non-toxic finger |
| include other children. Language is developed | | | | and tempera paints along with short handled |
| enough to enable children of this age to express | | | | brushes with blunt ends. Play-do, markers, blunt |
| their wishes to others. Hearing simple stories is a | | | | ended scissors and chalk and construction paper. |
| favorite, especially those with repetition read from | | | | Games begin to be interesting; such as: lotto |
| picture books. Older toddlers have a strong need | | | | matching games based on color pictures, |
| to establish independence and show a great pride | | | | dominoes and board game with only a few pieces. |
| in accomplishment. | | | | Role play materials would be the same as for |
| Some suggestions for appropriate toys will include | | | | younger toddlers including dress up clothes and |
| similar toys as those listed for younger toddlers | | | | costumes, realistic looking equipment such as child |
| although older toddlers will use them with more | | | | sized stove, refrigerator, sink. All housekeeping |
| skill and detail. For example push and pull toys | | | | equipment such as pots and pans and dishes |
| have many similarities such as doll carriages, | | | | would preferably be real rather than toy. Toys |
| wagons, small wheelbarrows. However you may | | | | that can be pushed such as vacuum cleaners, |
| consider adding pull and push toys that look more | | | | lawnmowers, shopping carts and full length |
| like adult items such as lawnmowers, vacuum | | | | mirrors. Trucks, small realistic cars, large trucks |
| cleaners, cars, etc. Riding toys may also be more | | | | and trains with moving parts. |
| realistic looking, such as small motorcycles. When | | | | Books are a most important addition. At this age |
| children are able to pedal (around 2 1/2 to 3), | | | | sturdy books with heavy paper, cardboard pages |
| small tricycles are a wonderful addition. | | | | will last more easily. Stories should be short and |
| All outdoor equipment needs to be supervised by | | | | simple with more pictures than writing, using clear |
| an adult at all times that it is in use. Climbing | | | | color and few details. |
| structures and slides, tunnels, swings, are all | | | | A rule of thumb when choosing toys for your |
| appropriate for this age group. Child sized sleds | | | | child: the more the toy does the less your child |
| that are shorter in length than the child's height. | | | | learns from it. Toys that invite creative |
| Balls of all sizes are appropriate but especially large | | | | imagination, such as those mentioned above, will |
| balls which are at least 1 3/4 inches in diameter. | | | | develop your child's skills and intellect. |
| Construction toys would include solid, wooden | | | | Keep your toy choices developmentally |
| blocks, as well as large hollow buildings blocks and | | | | appropriate for the highest level of enjoyment |
| large plastic brick blocks. Also fascinating for this | | | | and learning for your child. Take time to play |
| age group would be interlocking rings, large nuts | | | | together and have fun. That's the parenting perk! |
| and bolts. Puzzles would begin to be more | | | | |