In this article, you’ll learn how play is not just fun but a vital part of your child's cognitive growth. We'll explore playtime’s importance and practical ways to let it boost your toddler's cognitive development. So, let’s get started.

Sensory Play

Sensory play is a toybox of cognitive stimulation. Activities with sand, water, or homemade sensory boxes filled with your favourite textures are wonderful for your toddler. Let them squeeze, pour, and stretch to their heart’s content or try sensory play classes for a more structured experience.

Problem-Solving

Toddlers get a kick out of problem-solving toys. Begin with simple blocks and gradually introduce more complex bits and puzzles. It’s amazing how critical thinking and better spatial awareness can develop through stacking, sorting, and other games.

Make-Believe

It’s time to believe in fairytales again, because pretending is fantastic for your toddler’s cognitive development. Ask your relatives to contribute to the dressing-up box to make playtime a bonding experience, or give them food to ‘cook’ in their toy kitchen. You have an increasingly articulate storyteller on your hands, so why not encourage them?

Memory and Matching Games

Now, who remembers when their favourite game was ’snap’? Memory and matching games are great for cognitive growth, so it’s time to reconnect with them. Base them on items in your home and observe how your little one focuses and finds pairs. It’s a little concentration and visual memory enhancement you can try while you're getting the laundry done.

Sorting and Classifying

Sorting and classifying activities will also enrich your child’s cognitive growth. You could even try to introduce basic maths at this stage, using colourful shapes to show addition and subtraction. It can promote critical thinking and keep the little ones entertained on long car journeys.

Reading and Storytelling

Many of us cherish memories of reading and storytelling with our parents and grandparents well into adulthood. They’re priceless gifts to give your child. Choose age-appropriate books with beautiful illustrations in as many languages as you speak at home. Encourage lots of questions, ask your child to guess what happens on the next page, and praise imaginative ideas.

Music and Dance

Everyone loves a sing-a-long, even if it’s just to the morning radio, and it can improve memory, rhythm, and language skills. Sign them up for music and dance classes for a more structured approach they can enjoy with peers.

Explore Outdoors

Nature is a playground, including for your toddler’s cognitive growth. Get them engaged with scavenger hunts, nature walks, and other discover-driven pastimes. Encourage questions and have them draw or describe what they hear, feel, and see.

Open-Ended Play

Let your toddler get creative with open-ended play. Stock up on age-appropriate art supplies and see what they come up with. You may have a budding Picasso in the house or just someone who likes drawing your family. It will all look good stuck to the fridge, and it is a wonderful way to help them develop divergent thinking and creativity.

How can play promote cognitive and social development in toddlers?

Unii’s Toddler Health and Development Journey explains how play makes development fun.