Movement and play: toddlers

Toddler play: why it’s important for movement and motor skills development

Play is one of the main ways that children learn, develop and grow. Play is good for all areas of your toddler’s development, including her physical development.

Playing with your toddler each day helps him move about and strengthens his muscles and bones. It’s also good for your toddler’s confidence, as he tests his abilities and discovers that he can climb higher, run faster and jump further all the time.

And when your toddler gets lots of physical activity into her day through play, it’s good for her overall health and wellbeing.

Toddlers need hours of active play every day--but this can include quiet physical play-- for example, building with blocks on the floor – as well as walking, running, jumping and climbing on play equipment.  And for toddlers with physical disabilities, your health provider and specialists can help you think how to adapt suggestions to create many ways for your child to use her body and strengthen her motor skills. 

What to expect: toddlers and movement

At this age, your toddler will probably be able to:

• pick up small pieces of food between his pointer finger and thumb
• hold a pencil in a basic writing position at 2-3 years
• walk up and down stairs using alternate feet at 2-3 years – but he’ll probably still need to hold a handrail or an adult’s hand
• throw a ball without falling over

Your toddler is becoming more coordinated and is better at doing simple things for himself. For example, toddlers can start dressing independently, eating independently with a spoon and fork, and drinking from a cup. By three years they can manage toilet training.

Your child will probably want to test physical limits, climbing as high and running as far as possible – small bumps and falls are common. Supervise, but understand that this is a normal part of how children learn and develop.

If your child isn’t running smoothly by three years, or shows little interest in exploring actively, it’s a good idea to talk with your family health provider.

Movement and play ideas for toddlers

Here are some play ideas to get your toddler moving in different ways:

• Listen to music that gets your toddler moving to the beat. Add some simple props – like ribbons or homemade shakers – to encourage her to shake, sway or twirl. You can sing simple songs and rhymes with actions for your toddler to copy.  If you use a heritage language at home, this is a great chance to teach words through physically active play.
• If you have access to ride-on toys, try these from 12 months.  If not, it is fun even to push a cardboard box across the room.
• If you have access to scooters or tricycles, your child may enjoy these from 2-3 years. You can try this even earlier if your toddler shows he’s interested.
• Give your toddler different-sized containers so she can put the small ones into larger ones – this helps her practise skills with hand, eye, and brain coordination.
• Do puzzles and Duplo together.
• Go for outdoor play anywhere your toddler can safely walk, run and explore. If you cannot get out, even your own yard or porch gives him the chance to practise gross motor skills on different kinds of surfaces.
• If playgrounds are open, let your toddler use simple playground equipment. It’s a good idea to supervise your child to help her avoid injury, and teach her how to climb safely.

Screen time and physical play

Current guidelines recommend that children under two years shouldn’t have screen time other than video-chatting with people they know. This is because very young children learn and grow best through real-world experiences like physical play, playing outside, creative play and social time with family and friends.  After two years, preschoolers should still have very limited involvement with screens.  Let's move!