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When it comes to toddlers they are a bundle of fun to say the least. At this stage of childhood they are full of energy and ready to explore all of the things around them. They love things involving physical activity:

• Pulling
• Lugging
• Pushing
• Emptying
• Filling
• Putting up
• Knocking down

They love to look at books with pictures and are able to identify them pretty easily. Some of the children will even want to draw (scribble) on paper. They are at an absolute peak of curiosity at this stage and they want and “have” to touch and investigate absolutely everything they see. They also love to imitate adult and the adult tasks; such as, cleaning and housekeeping tasks.

As the child goes from the ages of 1-3 they begin to become an avid explorer to imaginary play as they get towards 2-3. The exploration that comes at this age helps the child gain knowledge and through the knowledge it leads to language. The new walker is going to enjoy playing with riding toys and things like nesting cups lead to the first concepts of the big, bigger, and biggest. Other things like simple puzzles with the pieces that lift out or other matching games will help the toddler to get an increased vocabulary and start to learn his/her first math discoveries and hand to eye coordination. They are going to be eager to learn:

• Numbers
• Shapes
• Letters
• Colors
• Words

Some other popular toys at this age are action toys, toys that show cause and effect and toys that are challenging. Also games and electronic toys that will help the toddler develop so your toddler can start to have the manipulative, social and thinking skills and also help to gain important cognitive, coordination and creative knowledge. Some other popular toys are:

• Toys that you can push and pull, even more so if they make noise and music
• Toys that can be rode that are pushed with the feet
• Popup toys
• Lightweight balls
• Shape sorters
• Toys that can make music by shaking, banging, etc… through child manipulation
• Toys for the bath
• Clay and chalk for the older toddlers
• Role playing toys

Some other things where they can set up and take down like tea parties and cooking, playing cars and other things where they can grow their imaginations.