Jackie Silberg - Games to Play with Toddlers

Contents Games to Play with Toddlers Revised Jackie Silberg Illustrated by Joan Waites Author Availability Jackie Silberg is an acclaimed speaker, teacher, and trainer on early childhood development and music. You can arrange to have her
speak, present, train, or entertain by contacting her through
Gryphon House, PO Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023, MD 20901
or at jsilberg@interserv.com. Other Books by Jackie Silberg Games to Play with Babies, Third Edition Games to Play with Two-Year-Olds, Revised 125 Brain Games for Babies 125 Brain Games for Toddlers and Twos 300 Three Minute Games 500 Five Minute Games The I Cant Sing Book The Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems, Fingerplays, and Chants, wth Pam Schiller Bulk Purchase Gryphon House books are available at special discount for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specification. For details, contact the Director of Sales at Gryphon House. Dedication This book is dedicated to the joy that toddlers bring into our lives.

Acknowledgments Thanks to Kathy Charner, the most wonderful editor an author can have. She makes the words come alive. And to the Gryphon House family who work together to produce the beautiful product that you are looking at now. Copyright Copyright 2002 Jackie Silberg Published by Gryphon House, Inc. PO Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023 800.638.0928 (toll free); 877.638.7576 (fax) Visit us on the web at www.gryphonhouse.com Illustrations: Joan Waites Cover photograph: Artville, LLC., 1999 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.

Reprinted October 2014 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Silberg, Jackie, DATE Games to play with toddlers / Jackie Silberg; illustrated by Joan Waites.-- Rev. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-87659-234-2 1. 2. 2.

Educational games. 3. Toddlers. I. Title. GV1203 .S537 2002 649.5--dc21 2002019788 Disclaimer The publisher and the author cannot be held responsible for injury, mishap, or damages incurred during the use of or because of the activities in this book.

The author recommends appropriate and reasonable supervision at all times based on the age and capability of each child. From the Author What is more precious than a toddler exploring the world, dropping food on the floor to see if it will bounce, running from here to there, or listening to the same story or song hundreds of times? Toddlers learn from all of these experiences. When a child plays, she is developing listening, language, cognitive, motor, social, and self-esteem skills that are critical to her development. This book contains fresh, innovative, and stimulating games for you and your child to play and grow together. Whether its building with blocks, whispering at quiet times, playing with toys, or laughing together, you will find terrific ideas to enjoy with your child and help him learn. The carefully selected games in this book have been played and enjoyed by adults and toddlers for many years.

Originating from a variety of cultures and ethnic backgrounds, the games were carefully selected for each age range. Enjoy them all! Age Range The age range given for each activity is an approximation. Each child develops at his or her own pace. Use your knowledge of each individual child as the best judgment as to whether an activity is appropriate. Guidelines for Growth While each childs development will be individual and unique, the following skills are those that toddlers will likely develop before age two. Motor, Auditory, and Visual Skills Walks independently Walks up and down stairs holding an adults hand Holds two small objects in one hand Jumps in place Kicks a large ball Throws a small ball overhand Recognizes familiar people Scribbles on paper Stacks three to six blocks Turns knobs Finds objects of the same color, shape, and size Points to distant, interesting objects outdoors Turns toward a family member whose name is spoken Understands and follows a simple direction Notices sounds made by a clock, bell, and whistle Responds rhythmically to music with her whole body Carries out instructions that include two steps Language and Cognitive Skills Jabbers with expression Identifies pictures in a book Uses single words meaningfully Names objects when asked, Whats this? Uses 20 or more words Names at least 25 familiar objects Gestures to make his wants known Names toys Uses words to make her wants known Combines two different words Tries to sing Speaks in simple sentences Finds familiar objects Fits objects into containers Turns two to three pages of a book at a time Points to pictures in a book Remembers where objects belong Obtains a toy using a stick or a string Self-Concept Skills Demands personal attention Points to parts of his body when identified Insists on helping to feed herself Names parts of a dolls body Claims objects as his own Refers to herself by name Pulls on socks and mittens Eats with a spoon Drinks from a cup Attempts to wash himself Offers a toy but does not release it Plays independently around another child Enjoys short walks Asks for food and water when needed 12-15 months 12-15 months WHAT YOUR TODDLER WILL LEARN: About Colors Color Games The first step in learning to identify colors is matching them.

Sit on the floor with your child. Zoom a toy car back and forth. Choose a red or blue car. After you and your toddler have played a while, take out a car of a different color and play with that one. Next, take two sheets of paper the same color as the cars. Put the paper on the floor and the cars on the matching paper.

Take a car off the paper and ask your child to put the car on the matching paper. As you play this game, always name the color to which you are referring. Consistently playing this game will develop your childs matching skills. 12-15 months What your toddler will Learn: About Colors Color Fun Find two small containers that are the same size. Margarine tubs work nicely. Paint or color one red and the other yellow.

If you can find containers in these colors that is even better. Put the containers in front of your child. Touch each container and say the color name. Take your childs hand and touch each container as you say the name again. Pick up the yellow container and say, I like the yellow one. Ask your child, Would you like the yellow one? Give the container to your child.

Continue taking a container and then giving it to your child. Put a small object in the yellow container. Hold up each container and shake it. Your child will enjoy the noise. Ask your child to give you the yellow container. 12-15 months WHAT YOUR TODDLER WILL LEARN: About Colors Color Walk Go on a color walk to bond with your toddler. 12-15 months WHAT YOUR TODDLER WILL LEARN: About Colors Color Walk