Encourage imagination in toddlers is a key part of their developement. All you have to do walking in to a children’s toy store and you will see shelf after shelf of toys that encourage pretend play. Last week J brought me a handful of nothing and expected me to eat it. He then returned to the table, pretending to pick something up and brough it to me again, feeding it to me. So it begins, pretend play.
There are lots of ways to foster imagingation in our children. He loves to ride on his fire truck toy, we received this from a friend as a baby shower gift. Little did I know that it would become a favorite. Paired with his fireman rain boots, he’s ready to go.
Making sure that our kids are getting all of the vitamins nad minerals they need for a balanced diet allows for healthy growth and development in young minds. We eat at very balanced diet at home but sometimes it’s hard to get this little one to eat the veggies! To make sure that he gets everything he needs I sneak a little bit of Nesquik into his milk. He loves it and it’s packed full of delicious flavor, 7 essential vitamins and minerals, 45% less sugar than the leading syrup brand and has no artificial colors and flavors.
If your little one isn’t a big milk drinker, no worries. There are tons of amazing recipes that kids love using Nesquik, you can find them HERE.
Other ways to encourage imaginative play in toddlers…
Play along, the more you encourage the pretent play the more there will be.
Costumes, can be anything from store bought dress up clothes to things from your closet. My little guy loves to put on any shoes he can find, boots are a bonus in his book.
Household Items, pots and pans can be drums or they may want to pretend to stir and cook like you. Blankets make great forts and empty grocery bags are great for a trip through the pantry shopping.
Reading not only helps your little one develope important language skills but allows for them to imagine their favorite cat on adventures or trucks that can talk.
So much fun! Thank you for sharing! My 19 month old is just getting into pretending to do things, and it’s so much fun!
I am trying to do more pretend play with my daughter too. Thanks!