Supporting your Toddler's Motor Skills

Play chasing games, hide and seek, peek-a-boo. Play soft music to encourage listening and moving.

– Provide toys your toddler can push or pull safely. Provide riding toys, such as a tricycle
– Kick, roll and throw balls with your toddler. Encourage him/her to run and kick it.
– Encourage your toddler to drink from a cup and use a spoon, no matter how messy.
– Blow bubbles and let your toddler pop them.
– Ask your toddler to carry small items for you once he/she walks well.
– Visit parks, playgrounds and large indoor play spaces where your toddler can run and climb on playground equipment.
– Dance with them to a rhyme or music and introduce games like “Freeze”.
– Take your toddler to parks to run and hike on nature trails. Teach your child how to “pump” his/her legs while on a swing.
– Encourage your toddler to open doors and drawers; ask him/her to turn pages in a book while you are reading.
– Hold your child’s hand going up and down stairs, or encourage him/her to use the railing.

Most Importantly “Do Not Push”. Development will happen on its own, the style and pace of whicg is unique to each child. Celebrate success each time your toddler beams ear-to-ear at his/her achievements – can be the ability to use a fork to finish his bowl of apple cubes, dumping his clothes in the laundry basket, stacking books onto the shelf or has just about managed to get down those two stairs on the way to the restaurant!

Of course! your encouragement is sought for, but it is important to hold yourself from rushing into the process. Savour the journey and follow your child’s lead into the next stage of development as and when s/he is ready for it.