Children have different needs at each age and stage of development in their lives. Each child is also unique. Planning appropriate activities help children learn, have fun, experience success and feel good about themselves. Some specific age based activities to enjoy are:

Most toddlers still like infant activities (being held, rocked, tickled, read to, etc.) but also love to:

• explore. Find rocks, shells, leaves, bugs, etc. on a nature walk;
• separate from and return back to you, be chased by you, they run "away" and you follow and swoop them up;
• give objects to you and then want them back (the beginning of sharing);
• walk, run, jump, hide, climb, provide space to run, jump in fall leaves, pillows, old clothes, snow, provide appliance box or sheet over two chairs to hide or crawl under, climb stairs or piled cushions together;
• sing, dance, move and listen to music, make up silly songs
• play house or imitate you, (sweep, make pretend food, wash dishes, rock the doll)
• pull toys with a string or push toys like baby buggies, shopping carts
• draw (with fat crayons and paper), paint with water on sidewalk (bucket/sponge or brush) and finger paint with shaving cream (can add food color), play with cups/lids in a tub or basin of water or bath (never leave toddler alone in water)
• tear, glue or paste paper together (sacks, tissue, wrapping), make a collage
• poke, roll play dough and cookie cutters, (dough: 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 3 tbsp oil)
• put objects in a container, then dump out. (Can use coffee cans or other containers with a hole cut in the top for objects such as blocks, clothespins, spools, etc. to fit through)

Although children of different ages have different needs and interests, playing with younger and older siblings can enhance learning and understanding. Many activities are popular with most ages (reading stories together, making cookies, going to the park, library or for ice cream). As you plan activities, take time to remember and enjoy the discoveries of each age.