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Once my baby started walking, playtime got a lot more active.
And as a mom of three, I spent a lot of time running after my three kids.
Sometimes it seemed like we were just playing the same thing over and over
again, but that's OK, because little ones like and need repetition in order
to develop new skills.
Play is so important at every stage for their mental and physical
development.
And once they're walking and running, it changes again.
Their ability to interact with others, their ability to make believe and
solve problems makes playtime more interactive and fun for both of you.
Here are a few favorites that kept short attention spans and active
bodies entertained.
As children develop new mental skills, puzzles become a great tool
as well as a toy.
Puzzles were a favorite in our house, and they are an excellent way to help
brain development.
They help teach shapes and colors, they're fun, and they help with hand
eye coordination and fine motor skills, which are still developing.
We kept them simple at first, with large pieces that couldn't be eaten.
Don't laugh, it happens.
A four piece puzzle is a great way to start, working your way up to more
complex puzzles from there.
At first it felt like they were just being rascals, but at this stage, my
little ones really did love running away from me and being chased after.
They love the movement and the anticipation, and it's good for them.
They're putting together multiple skills they've learned in order to
play with you.
I'd make a big deal out of it when I caught them, then I'd
let them chase me.
Chase was a great way to burn off a little extra energy, especially for my
more active babies.
Their fine motor skills began to develop around this age.
Finger painting and drawing helped this right along.
They love the feel of the paint on their fingers and
making marks on paper.
And believe it or not, that messy paint stimulates the senses and lets
them experience a variety of textures.
I know it looks like a mess, but it is a learning experience for them.
We'd spread out some butcher paper and turn the floor into
a toddler art studio.
We also learned, the hard way, to make sure we were on a surface that could
handle a few stray marks.
An important milestone happens around this age, the ability to make believe.
We'd hear our children talking to their toys in their room, or watch
them imagining adventures in the living room.
We'd turn our couch cushions in a cave or a fort to play inside, or we used
sheets to make a test.
There are puppet tents on the market, but I always thought that the homemade
kind helped our children imagine possibilities.
And they could be made with items I already had around the house.
Throwing or kicking a ball sounds easy enough, but there are a lot of
different skills coming together in that simple game.
They are now learning to coordinate many different movements in their body
while they watch an object.
It's amazing when you think about.
And my children loved it.
Something as simple as tossing a ball back and forth was endless
entertainment.
Plus watching their little face when they kick the ball across the room was
a lot of fun.
As my little ones became more active, it was almost a gold medal event when
it came to changing them.
I found that using Easy Ups from Pampers made changing a breeze, so we
could keep the playtime going.
Playtimes during this stage are some of my favorite
memories with my children.
Whatever games you play, I'm sure you're enjoying your time together.
Each child is unique, and your love and play are just what they need at
every stage.
Visit Pampers' YouTube channel for more parenting tips.