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FREE One Year Old Play And Learn Activities

The second year of your child's life is amazing to be a part of. They are naturally so focused on being able to communicate and being able to fine tune their coordination. Focusing on free play and experiences that allow them to explore their world on their own, should be fun for them and a priority in all that you do with them.

One year old's learn more skills in this year than any other year. (That is amazing because they only have a few minutes of attention span and minimal ability to understand language.) Granted, children should spend about 80% of their time in free play, exploring the world in their own way and as they desire learning in the way that they want.

Yet as my granddaughter turns one, I was appalled at how little is available online to provide themed play and curriculum for one year old toddlers. So I spent the last six months developing activity banks and resources for you.

Your focus on communication and language skills in that second year is crucial to reducing their frustration and crying spells from us not understanding what they want.

I now live in rural New York with a lot of Amish families in our community. I was helping a family of a child with Downs Syndrome when I struck up a conversation about parenting priorities. They concentrate on physical strength and coordination in the first year, like parents all over the world. But around the beginning of their second year they give themselves a new focus -communication and life skills.

They teach only what is relevant to daily life-
(Not the alphabet: because they don't need that until they are reading or writing.) They focus on a babies innate desire to communicate and introduce play/social skills that will grow into life skills based on their every day life.

Amish parents master their parenting skills as youth when as they help take care of younger children in their community or sisters and brothers. Coached by their own parents or the parents of the child in their care, they learn to help children explore and learn through play.

To me, they have very Reggio and Montessori-approach. The objective to playfully explore all aspects of Amish daily life with children is pretty much drilled into them before they marry.

They are masters at developing social learning and being committed to teaching everyday life skills for being successful and helpful in their family and community. Makes sense, right?

Learning about the science of nature and what it provides for them is a lifelong goal for them. However, they don't include teaching about things that are irrelevant. As in, the idea of teaching about the ocean if they live too far from it to visit it. If it can't be taught or enriched through everyday life, they don't teach it until later in life. This systematic hands on approach to learning is really effective in teaching the scientific relevance of all that they do through out their lives. They also learn penmanship and basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division later in life. Science, math and history are taught entirely through hands-on experiences such as farming, woodworking, home making or building.

I find this inspiring because they use minimal resources and their kids and community become geniuses in physical and life science. The shift in my outlook, to be more focused on life skills and communication rather than the alphabet would have been REALLY useful earlier in life for me.

But better late than never-right? It's up to you readers to get the word out because I think it is a game-changer because it just makes sense.
Babies are wanting to learn to communicate more than anything.

The overwhelming innate desire to communicate will allow them to be motivated and excited while playing (with purpose)

Our Incredible Baby Program Webpages can be found on two of of Incredible Kids Websites.

Incredible Horizons also provides more Incredible Babies topics.
Plus it provides information and support if your child appears to have special needs.

Read on for details on how to work on communication skills with your baby. And a section on skill based activites that you can fit into your daily routine as time allows.

When you are ready for more structured play based curriculum use the FREE themed play in units HERE

Understanding Baby's Nonverbal Cues and Signals

Ways to Communicate With Your Baby

By modeling positive non-verbal communication, such as appropriate facial expressions and warm body language, parents can help their babies understand this form of communication and develop their own skills. This foundation will contribute to their ability to build relationships in the future.

Learn how to understand babies by working toward enhancing your communication with your baby and support the development of their non-verbal communication skills through the following approaches:

As adults, we sometimes overlook the fact that babies cannot yet speak, but they are constantly communicating. It's truly amazing to observe what a baby can convey through their non-verbal cues so ensure that you are encouraging their attempts at communication and responding appropriately.

Receptive and Expressive Language

Discover the key differences between receptive and expressive language in toddler development. Learn why toddlers may have an imbalance between these language skills and how parents can support receptive vs expressive language at home.

Expressive Language Lessons, First Words

How to Encourage Your Child’s First Words!

First words are such an exciting milestone! Learn speech therapist and mom approved speech therapy tips and activities to help your child say their first word!

Expressive Language Lessons

Building Non-verbal Communication Skills At Home

Teaching your child to play back and forth with you is one way speech therapists build non-verbal communication skills. Learn speech therapy tips and activities to encourage back and forth play at home.

Expressive Language Lessons, First Words 1/15/21

Teaching Toddlers to Repeat Words

Children begin repeating words they hear you say just before they say their first word. See how you can use these fun and doable speech therapy tips and activities to get your little one repeating words.

Expressive Language Lessons 1/15/21

Teaching Kids to Ask for Help

Teaching toddlers how to ask for help when they need it is a common speech therapy goal for young children. Learn speech therapy tips and activities you can use to practice at home.

Teaching Toddlers To Imitate In Play

Toddlers learn to talk through imitation! Help them first by supporting imitation in play. Use these speech therapy tips and activities to grow imitation skills at home.

Toddler Language Milestones, 12 - 24 Months7/21/21

Receptive Language:
What do toddlers understand?

Did you know that toddlers understand 10x (or more) the number of words they can say? Learn about receptive language skills, or what toddlers understand and when.

Expressive Language Lessons

Teaching Toddlers Plural Nouns

Teaching toddlers to use the plural -s is a fun and exciting w

ay to grow their grammar skills at home. Use the speech therapy tips and activities to help!

Following Directions

Discover practical speech therapy tips to help your toddler develop the essential skill of following directions. Learn about toddler milestones for following directions and enhance their receptive language abilities through practical strategies and engaging activities.

Baby Gestures: Making a big statement without saying a word!

Baby gestures, like clapping, waving, and blowing kisses, are exciting ways that your little one is communicating with you. See why gestures are so important, learn 16 gestures you can teach by 16 months, and my speech therapy tips for teaching baby gestures at home.

Expressive Language Lessons 1/15/21

Teaching Your Toddler To Tell You What Happened

Teaching toddlers to tell you what happened is an important speech therapy skill to practice at home. Use these tips and activities to help your toddler tell you about what happened to them.

Teaching Toddlers How To Ask Questions

Teaching 2 year olds to ask questions is a fun way to practice speech therapy at home. Learn 3 speech therapy tips and activities that you can use for fun and simple practice.

Learn how to understand babies by working toward enhancing your communication with your baby and support the development of their non-verbal communication skills through the following approaches:

Receptive and Expressive Language

Expressive Language Lessons, First Words

How to Encourage Your Child’s First Words!

First words are such an exciting milestone! Learn speech therapist and mom approved speech therapy tips and activities to help your child say their first word!

Expressive Language Lessons 1/15/21

Building Non-verbal Communication Skills At Home

Expressive Language Lessons, First Words 1/15/21

Teaching Toddlers to Repeat Words

Expressive Language Lessons 1/15/21

Teaching Kids to Ask for Help

Teaching toddlers how to ask for help when they need it is a common speech therapy goal for young children. Learn speech therapy tips and activities you can use to practice at home.

Teaching Toddlers To Imitate In Play

Toddlers learn to talk through imitation! Help them first by supporting imitation in play. Use these speech therapy tips and activities to grow imitation skills at home.

Toddler Language Milestones, 12 - 24 Months7/21/21

Receptive Language:
What do toddlers understand?

Did you know that toddlers understand 10x (or more) the number of words they can say? Learn about receptive language skills, or what toddlers understand and when.

Expressive Language Lessons

Teaching Toddlers Plural Nouns

Teaching toddlers to use the plural -s is a fun and exciting w

ay to grow their grammar skills at home. Use the speech therapy tips and activities to help!

Following Directions

Baby Gestures: Making a big statement without saying a word!

Expressive Language Lessons 1/15/21

Teaching Your Toddler To Tell You What Happened

Teaching toddlers to tell you what happened is an important speech therapy skill to practice at home. Use these tips and activities to help your toddler tell you about what happened to them.

Teaching Toddlers How To Ask Questions

Teaching 2 year olds to ask questions is a fun way to practice speech therapy at home. Learn 3 speech therapy tips and activities that you can use for fun and simple practice.

Tips for developing early speech during playtime

Teaching Toddlers To Imitate In Play

Toddlers learn to talk through imitation! Help them first by supporting imitation in play. Use these speech therapy tips and activities to grow imitation skills at home.

Parents learning to use focused stimulation in speech therapy

Teaching your toddler to say new words

One of the most powerful actions you can take as you're teaching your toddler to talk is to say the *real names* of objects or actions many times over. In speech therapy, we call this strategy focused stimulation.

Toddler Toy Car - 3 Ways to support early language

Toy cars are simple, fun, and perfect for practicing speech and language skills at home with your little one. Learn how to use toddler toy cars to practice speech and language at home, no matter what level your little one is at.

Peg Puzzle - At Home Speech Therapy Activities

Peg Puzzle - At Home Speech Activities

Peg puzzles are perfect for teaching your toddler to talk. See our recommendations for which peg puzzles are best and how you can play to teach your child new communication skills using your puzzles with pegs.

Speech Therapy & Bubbles for Kids

Bubbly play is a great activity for practicing speech at home. See how to play with bubbles for each stage of development and what to say to grow your child’s communication with bubble activities for toddlers.

The "Magic" School Bus Speech Activities

No matter what stage your child is at, you can use a toy bus to build language at home. We share activities for 1 year olds and 2 year olds that you can use to grow communication at home. Learn the same activities used in speech therapy!

Welcome to a harmonious adventure designed to ignite your child’...

Fun Sorting Games to Boost Your Child’s Thinking at Home

Welcome to “Sort & Learn,” a captivating journey into the world of so...

Learn Animal Sounds: Fun Speech Therapy at Home

Welcome to Animal Sound Safari, an exhilarating expedition designed to immerse your c...

Play & Learn: Boost Speech with Fun Animal and Vehicle Sounds

Welcoming a little one into your world is an adventure filled with laughter, love, an...

At Home Speech & Language Activities - Duplo Blocks

Blocks are one of the most popular toys for toddlers, and there are a seemingly infinite number of ways you can play with blocks to teach your child new talking and understanding skills.

At Home Speech & Language Activities - Small Cardboard Boxes

Learn how playing with a cardboard box can grow your child’s communication skills no matter what stage they are at. See 3 quick and easy at home speech activities with boxes.

Activities

At Home Speech & Language Activities - Tupperware

Learn how to grow your child's speech and language skills by playing with Tupperware. We will tell you how to play and what you can say in order to grow your child's skills at 3 different levels: before the first word, when they say 1-100 words, and when they are talking in sentences.

At Home Speech & Language Activities - Baby Dolls

Do you already have a baby doll (or stuffed animal) at home? Learn how you can grow your child's speech and language skills by playing with your baby doll in this post!

3/2/23

Play + Language Developing Together

Play and language develop simultaneously in toddlers. Discover how understanding play and language stages can help you choose the best toddler toys and help your little one reach the next developmental stage.

Toddler Stages of Play

As babies and toddlers get older their play develops and changes. In this post we talk about the stages of play that toddlers progress through. We’ll also cover how toddlers learn to play with one another.

Laundry Games For Toddlers

Laundry games are an excellent way to turn your everyday chores into learning opportunities for your little one. Learn 3 different ways that you can help your toddler learn to talk while doing laundry together.

Speech and Language Practice - The Getting Dressed Activity

Toddlers go through (too) many outfits in a day! We’ve created a guide to practicing speech and language when your toddler is getting dressed. See how to support language development using these simple activities.

Speech Therapy & Bubbles for Kids

Cause and Effect Toys

Cause and effect toys help toddlers learn the foundations for communication. See the list of our 10 favorite cause and effect toy for toddlers and how you can use things you already have at home to teach cause and effect.

24 - 36 Months5/18/22

2/21/22

Teaching Your Toddler About Safety

Learn how to teach your toddler about safety from moms and speech therapists. We talk about strategies to help your child stop in dangerous situations and how you can teach them about safety through play.

Is your toddler taking their time to find their words?

Don't worry, they might just be a late talker! In this blog post, we'll explore these questions:

What is a late talker?
Is my toddler a late talker?
Do late talkers need speech therapy?
How can I practice at home? (TONS of simple & fun activity ideas)

Who is a “late talker”?

Late talkers are children who start speaking later than their peers. Typically, they are between 18 and 30 months old and have a limited vocabulary. They may find it challenging to combine words into phrases or sentences. And, they may have difficulties understanding language.

The term "late language emergence" is commonly used by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and speech therapists to describe children who are late talkers. This term is used because these children may experience delays not only in speaking but also in their understanding and receptive language skills. The term "late talker" can be confusing, but it's important to know that understanding skills and speaking skills are closely linked and typically develop together.

How common are late talkers?

Late talkers are actually quite common. Around 13% of children at 24 months old show signs of late language emergence. So if you're concerned about your child's language development, know that you're not alone. Many parents have experienced similar situations, and there is support available to help you and your little one along the way.

17 month old who isn't talking yet, but is playing with toy food

Do I have a late talker?

Are you concerned that your child might be a late talker? You're not alone! Many parents find themselves worrying about their child's communication development. In fact, in a recent poll I conducted on Instagram with over 500 parents, more than 80% expressed concerns about their child's communication skills. It's natural to compare your little one to their peers or siblings and feel a bit worried when you notice differences in their abilities.

To help you determine if your child might be a late talker, here are some specific signs to look out for:

Limited vocabulary: Late talkers often have a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words by the age of two, or their vocabulary may grow at a slower pace compared to their peers.
Difficulty with word combinations: They might struggle to put words together to form two-word phrases, such as saying "more juice" or "bye-bye daddy."
Typical understanding (or not): Late talkers may have age-appropriate receptive language skills, meaning they understand language at a level that aligns with their peers.
There’s no easily identifiable cause of the delay: It's important to note that late talkers typically don't have other significant developmental delays or cognitive impairments, such as hearing loss or intellectual disabilities.

If you notice these signs in your child, it may be beneficial to seek guidance from a healthcare professional or a speech-language pathologist. Remember, being a late talker doesn't necessarily indicate a long-term language disorder. Some children catch up to their peers without any intervention, while others may benefit from early intervention services, such as speech-language therapy, to support their language development.

Milestones - A guide for identifying late talking toddlers

It's essential to keep in mind that there's a wide range of what's considered typical development for children at any age. To gain a clearer understanding of your child's progress, it can be helpful to reference milestones or benchmark skills for each age group. By doing so, you can determine whether your child is on track or may require additional attention in a particular area.

Here are some age-specific benchmarks that can assist you in identifying late talking:

At 18 months, look for children to:

Follows some familiar directions
Use gestures, such as pointing or waving.
Copy words they hear you say.
Say about 20 different words on their own.

At 24 months, look for children to:

Understands the meaning of new words quickly
Have a vocabulary of more than 50 words.
Begin combining two words to form short phrases.
Engage in simple conversations using basic language skills.

At 30 months, look for children to:

Have an expanding vocabulary of several hundred words.
Use 3- to 4- word sentences to express themselves.
Combine words to ask and answer questions.

Remember, these milestones are general guidelines, and every child develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's language development, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a speech-language pathologist. They can provide a more accurate assessment and recommend appropriate interventions if necessary.

I think my child’s a late talker… Help!

If you suspect that your child may be a late talker, it's essential to understand that it doesn't necessarily indicate a long-term language disorder. Many children do catch up to their peers without any intervention, while others may benefit from early intervention services like speech-language therapy to support their language development.

Now, you might be wondering, "Will my child catch up on their own?" The answer is, it varies. Research indicates that more than half of late talkers do catch up on their own. However, it's impossible to predict which group your child will fall into—those who catch up naturally or those who may require some additional support for expressive language development.

To determine the best course of action, consult with a speech-language pathologist. They can assess your child's language skills and provide expert guidance. If necessary, they'll recommend strategies and activities to facilitate language development.

As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting your child's communication skills. Engage in interactive activities like reading, singing, and talking with your child to create a language-rich environment. Incorporate play and everyday interactions into learning experiences.

Late Talker Recommendations:

I recommend two things to parents who have concerns about late talking:

1. Start practicing at home!

Many early intervention speech therapy strategies can be implemented by parents. Spend 15-30 minutes a day during an activity you already do to make a difference.

Here are three proven strategies to support late talkers at home during your family's favorite activities (click the links for activities and more information on each strategy!)

Focused Stimulation - this strategy involves repeating the names of people, things, and actions more often to help your child learn
Increase Commenting - Most of us ask a ton of questions! But for toddlers learning to talk, comments are more helpful than questions! It's a small change that can make a big impact on your child's learning.
Following Children's Interest - Pay attention to what captures your child's interest, as it plays a crucial role in learning new words. By following their lead, you'll find that your at-home practice becomes more effective and enjoyable.

2. Schedule a speech and language evaluation.

You may be wondering, “Is speech therapy really necessary? Won’t they just catch up on their own?”

The truth is, it varies from child to child. While some children do catch up on their own, others benefit from extra help in acquiring language skills. That's why I strongly recommend scheduling an evaluation for your child. During this appointment, you'll gain valuable insights into your child's strengths and areas that may require support. Moreover, you'll receive specific techniques to assist your child's language development throughout the evaluation process. Following the evaluation, speech therapy may or may not be recommended, depending on your child’s individual needs.

Request a referral from your pediatrician or contact your state's early intervention program (in the US). Even if your child catches up through at-home practice, it's wise to have an appointment booked in case extra support is needed down the road. Planning in advance provides peace of mind if your progress at home doesn’t go as you’ve planned.

Here are 2 great resources for speech & language evaluation:

Remember, every child is unique, and their language journey unfolds at their own pace. Seeking professional advice and actively participating in your child's language development will ensure they receive the support they need to thrive.

How to support a late talker at home - more ways!

1. Play Activity Guides - I’ve put together guides to growing your child’s talking skills using some of the most popular toddler toys. Check out the suggested activities for your child’s current level using:

Little boy and girl playing ball together

2.First Words - resources to help your little one say their first words

Tips & Activities for first words - encourage your toddler to say their first words with these speech therapy tips and activities.
Baby first words list - learn common first words and how to know if your toddler said one

3. Growing Vocabulary - these are my favorite strategies, tips, and activities for helping your child learn to say more words

My favorite strategy for growing vocabulary! - this strategy can be used in any activity!
More tips and activities to grow your little one’s vocabulary - we have tips, activities, and videos to help you practice at home

4. Putting Words Together - support your child in combining words when talking with these speech therapy tips, activities, and strategies

Start putting words together using these speech therapy tips and activities.
Ultimate guide to early sentences - encourage your child to combine 3+ more words at home

5. Kickstart - If you're looking for extra reassurance and personalized support for your late-talking toddler, I'm here to help!

I've been providing one-on-one guidance to families, and it has been a wonderful experience. Families have appreciated the individualized support, and I've enjoyed connecting with them on a deeper level. If you're interested in personalized recommendations and support, I invite you to consider my new Kickstart Program. This program is designed to provide tailored strategies to enhance your child's language development and empower you as a parent. Feel free to reach out to me to learn more about the Kickstart Program and how it can benefit you and your child. I'm here to support you every step of the way on this journey.

Superscript

14 Things To Easily Teach Your
1-Year-Old Through Play

If you’re like me, it’s always on your mind- Am I teaching my child enough? Am I giving her enough attention? Should I be doing more to help her learn? Could I be a better mom?? The mom's guilt is REAL and it’s totally normal.

We always feel like we could be doing more for our children: feeding them better, teaching them more, being more patient with them.

Then, life sometimes gets in the way when we have to go to work, clean the house, make dinner, take kids to activities and practices, and still make time for our husband too.

My granddaughter is 13 months and I’m always thinking, what should Hope be teaching her? Should she start learning her colors? Her ABC’s and numbers? Should she be coloring? Learning how to build block towers or animal sounds?

Maybe this is the occupational therapist in me, since I’m used to teaching babies and children and know that there’s always more to learn. However, I’m sure most moms go through those feelings too.

How are they learning?

Especially at this age, our children are little sponges! They are taking in every little ounce of knowledge about the world around them. Every sound, color, picture, and movement.

Your 1 year old can understand much more than you probably think they can. They are learning every day and even if we don’t realize it, we are teaching them.

They are watching our every move, listening to our every word and picking it up so quickly. So first of all, when you feel like you’re not doing enough, remember that they’re always learning by just watching you all day!

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to develop activities, especially at this age. Most of these don’t require any set up or materials and just can be done while you’re sitting and playing with them.

Remember, you don’t need high-tech fancy toys for your child. The best way they learn is through problem-solving and imaginative play with objects and toys that are simple enough to do a wide array of things with.

This post may contain affiliate links which I would receive a small commission for if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclaimer and privacy policy for full disclosure.

14 Activities You Can Teach Your 1-Year-Old

There is a wide range of differences from a 13-month-old to a 21-month-old so be aware of your child’s developmental level.

Here are a few activities that are simple enough to do everyday to be sure your child is learning:

1. Teaching new words

Your 1-year-old is starting to pick up a huge vocabulary during this crucial age and there is so much for them to learn and explore.

Here are some of the common words, phrases, and concepts that your one year old can pick up at this young age:

Body parts: Point out your child’s eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, head, hair, ears, hands, feet, etc. Show them on their bodies, a doll’s body, as well as your own. Then at other times in the day ask them, Where’s your nose? Where are your eyes? An early 1 year old should be able to point to these body parts when asked and a later 1 year old should be able to start saying the words.
Animal sounds and names: They will love making animal sounds before they can say the animal’s name, but be sure to tell them both and show them pictures as they say it.
Their own name: Of course they should already be able to respond to their name, but they may be able to say their name at this point. Practice the first sounds of their name and make sure they respond to their name when called.
Names of relatives: Teach them common relatives like mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and siblings, or whoever they see most frequently. Making a picture book of family and friends is a great way to learn their names or even just showing them pictures on your phone.
Manners: Please, thank you, you’re welcome, and excuse me are common.
Vehicles: Cars, trucks, school bus, fire truck, etc.
Foods and utensils: Teach them how to say their favorite foods and the utensils they use: cup, fork, spoon, cheese, bread, banana, etc.
Words to show what they need or want: yes, no, more, need, want, give me, peepee, etc.
Colors: Your child should be able to start matching colors at this point so be sure to name the colors for them.

You can do this while you’re changing diapers, during mealtime, or just while you’re snuggling in bed.

Repetition is so important at this stage. That is the best way that they will pick up new words and phrases. Be as consistent as possible to repeat everything you’re saying over and over.

Here are more tips to get your baby to talk and learn words here.

2. Reading books

Books are incredible teachers of language. Just looking at the pictures of so many new objects, people, colors, and shapes can spark much curiosity and learning in their minds.

My daughter LOVES books. She will hand us a book to read to her and snuggle up on our lap.

Even though her attention span usually only lasts through 3 pages, she is so excited to look at the pictures and colors.

Lift-the-flap books are her favorite and toddlers love lifting the flap to see what's behind it. We have a ton of baby board books at our house, but if you don’t, you can go to your local library and lend them out.

Most libraries also offer free storytime in the mornings so check their events to see what baby/toddler activities they have.

Simple, developmental activities and lessons you should teach your toddler everyday to help them learn, even when you're busy. They require no set up or creativity. This will help them to improve skills and they are constantly learning everyday.

You don’t have to actually read the book word for word, but point out every picture and describe it. Have them repeat it back. This will help to improve language.

When you’re reading, tell the child to turn the page. Also, ask your child to point to a picture.

If you are the one reading, use your finger to follow along with the words on the page so your baby learns to recognize letters and words.

3. Describe what they’re doing (Developing language)

If she’s merely just sitting and playing, use language to say everything she’s doing and using, the color and shape of an item, and what action is happening.

For example, “You’re putting the bead in the cup, you’re throwing the red ball, you’re walking over to the steps.” Your child will now be able to associate words with his or her actions.

4. Promote Independence

Simple, developmental activities you should do everyday with your toddler to help them learn, even when you're busy. They require no set up or creativity.

Your little one is probably begging to start doing things on her own by now. She will grab at the spoon, toothbrush, and even diaper wipes. Let them try to do these things on their own!

The only way a child will learn new skills is by doing it by themselves. So give them these opportunities to learn, understand, and make mistakes (within limits, of course).

Of course they may not be very successful at it, but don’t be intimidated by the mess it will make or that they won’t be able to complete the task.

Guide them in parts of the activity that they actually can complete.

They should be able to assist in areas like:

dressing: socks off, pulling pants up, putting arms through shirt, putting on/taking off coat
feeding: using utensils, finger feeding, choosing meals and snacks by pointing or asking and saying yes or no
brushing teeth: holding toothbrush
cleaning up: wiping up messes, putting toys back into their bin
going up and downstairs (with supervision and hand-holding)
opening containers

Tell them to pull the shirt down over their head or put their arms through and try to get their hand unstuck from the sleeve. Let them hold the brush to brush their teeth or hair, hold the food pouch and fork to feed themselves, and clean up their own toys into a bin.

Practice makes perfect!

5. Pretend play

Using their imagination opens up a world of fun and play for your toddler. This skill typically comes naturally as they copy and imitate what they see in the real world, in books, or on tv.

Whether it’s a play kitchen, tea party set, feeding a baby doll, driving a car, or sweeping the floor, your little one will love to participate in activities that she sees you doing.

See more examples of pretend play items here: Developmentally Appropriate Toys for a 1 Year Old

6. Inset Puzzles

Puzzles are great for developing so many skills!

They’ll be developing hand-eye coordination with flipping and turning the pieces to fit them in their slots, fine motor skills by using their little hands to grasp and manipulate the little pegs or whole wooden pieces, and problem solving by letting their brains figure out the best ways to fit the piece in the space or where it’s matching counterpart is.

At the same time, your child can be developing cognitive skills while also learning the concepts of the pictures on the puzzle, whether it be colors, shapes, animals (like the one above) or this one, foods, etc.

Chunky peg puzzles are best for younger 1 year olds, but as they get older, they can do puzzles of smaller sizes.

Name puzzles, such as this one from Bloom Owl, are so great with teaching your toddler the letters in their name. After playing with these puzzles, they’ll be spelling their name in no time!

7. Singing songs with gestures

I’m sure you’re well aware of all the kiddie songs, such as The Wheels on The Bus, Row Row Row Your Boat, Old McDonald, etc. You can be singing these songs at any time: in the car, changing diapers, giving a bath.

Children will love the rhythm and music. Demonstrate hand gestures while you’re singing and your baby will be sure to imitate!

This helps them in learning parts of the body, concepts like up/down, open/close, and sounds of animals, to name a few.

These are my daughter’s favorites:

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
Itsy, bitsy spider
Wheels on the Bus
Row, Row, Row your boat
Old McDonald

Related Post: How to Child Proof Your Home

8. Coloring

This is a great fine motor activity that 1 year olds should start practicing. It teaches them cause and effect: that they make a mark on the paper and it stays there.

All you need is paper and crayons. I highly suggest these finger crayons for the young ones. They are perfect for little hands and promote a good grasp when holding the crayons.

9. Teaching Colors

Everything your child plays with or touches has a color. It’s easy to point out colors to them and even group things by color.

For example, if you see a red ball, red crayon, and red block in their toy box, show them all of these together and that they are red.

They should really start being able to distinguish different colors around 18 months. They will know the difference between them, although naming them may still be difficult.

Related Post: How to Teach Your Baby to Walk

10. Making Music

Babies LOVE music! They can make music on their own or while listening to music played on the radio or sound system. If you have toy instruments like maracas, xylophone, tambourine, etc. that’s great to use, but you can also make musical ‘instruments’ with so many household objects.

You can have them shake a pill bottle (child safety sealed, of course) to make noise, bang a wooden spoon on a pot, box, tin can, counter top to make various sounds, fill plastic easter eggs with uncooked beans or rice and shake them.

11. Dance

Turn up the tunes on your tv, radio, or Amazon Alexa, and dance with your toddler! Every baby loves to get their moves on when they hear music. They’ll have fun and it will tire them out quickly too!

12. Get Outside

Kids love the outdoors and get stir crazy when you keep them inside all day. Take them for a walk and point out all the sights you see: green trees, blue sky, house, car, road.

They’re soaking up all of this vocabulary so get them to see a little more.

Blow bubbles, pick up leaves, or run through the sprinkler. If they need to be outside to run around and get some energy out, sitting in the grass is a great sensory experience. Getting some sunshine and running around a bit will even tire them out if they’re refusing a nap.

13. Stacking blocks

This activity also helps improve your child’s hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. Just take a few blocks and demonstrate how to build a tower, then hand them the blocks and ask them to do it. They should pick it up quickly and want to imitate you.

This Melissa & Doug Alphabet block set is great for older 1 year olds to stack, but great fine motor practice for the younger ones. Kids also love Mega Bloks which are great for stacking, putting together, and taking apart.

Stacking toys and activities like these encourage imaginative play and let them problem solve and investigate the world around them.

14. Uninterrupted one-on-one time

PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN AND PLAY! Trust me, I’m so guilty of it too. With all the technology we have access to now, it’s hard to just spend the time sitting on the floor playing.

I try to dedicate at least 20-minutes a day (I know that doesn’t seem like a lot at all) when I am completely in the zone with my toddler. I ask her what she wants to play with, what song she wants me to sing, or what book she wants me to read.

I made it a goal that I would just sit down in her play room and have fun for a block of time throughout the day. I don’t bring my phone or laptop in and we just play. It may seem like they’re too young to know that you’re not paying attention to them, but trust me, they’re always watching. Your child will appreciate the one-on-one time more than you know.

Try out these fun and simple ways to teach your one year old new things. You’ll be surprised at how much they are taking in!