Toddlers: Learning by Playing

Encourage Activity

It might look like just child's play, but toddlers are hard at work learning important physical skills as they gain muscle control, balance, and coordination. Each new skill lets them progress to the next one, building on a foundation that leads to more complicated physical tasks, such as jumping rope, kicking a ball on the run, or turning a cartwheel.

Toddlers always want to do more, which can motivate them to keep trying until they acquire a new skill, no matter what it takes.

Take advantage of your toddler's natural desire to keep moving. Even at this early age, kids establish patterns of activity that carry through the rest of childhood. So an active toddler is likely to remain active later.

Developing Skills

Playing and learning are completely natural for toddlers, so mastering physical skills should be fun and games for them. Parents should give toddlers many opportunities to practice their developing skills while providing supervision so they stay safe while they learn.

In addition to these physical accomplishments, toddlers are developing in other ways. Provide opportunities for yours to explore, ask questions, use his or her imagination, and practice fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks or coloring.

Here's a guide to the physical skills toddlers are working, by age:

Early Toddler Skills (12-24 months)

walks independently
pulls/carries toys while walking
stoops and gets back up
begins to run
kicks a ball
holds railing going up/down stairs
walks backward

Older Toddler Skills (24-36 months)

balances 1 to 2 seconds on one foot
climbs well
bends over easily without falling
runs well
kicks ball forward
both feet on step going up/down stairs
starts to pedal tricycle
throws ball over head

How Much Activity Is Enough?

For children 12-36 months old, current National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) guidelines recommend this much daily activity:

at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led)
at least 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play)

As a general rule, toddlers shouldn't be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except for sleeping. That's a lot of work for parents and caregivers, but a lot of much-needed activity for toddlers.

Encourage your toddler to be active, and remember how much he or she is learning along the way.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: July 2011

Related Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP is committed to the health and well-being of infants, adolescents, and young adults. The website offers news articles and tips on health for families.

American Academy of Family Physicians This site, operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), provides information on family physicians and health care, a directory of family physicians, and resources on health conditions.

Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 years old and under.

Movement, Coordination, and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old Most toddlers this age are walking and gaining even more control over their hands and fingers. Give your child lots of fun (and safe) things to do to encourage this development.

Games for Toddlers Though toddlers will more often play alongside their friends instead of with them, they'll enjoy group games and can begin learning important lessons from them.

Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old Kids who enjoy sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. And staying fit can help improve self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.

Home and Away: How to Keep Toddlers Active Toddlers naturally enjoy doing what is healthiest for them - being as active as possible. Here are tips to help keep them moving.

Safe Exploring for Toddlers Toddlers are learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, "outside" and "play" are common requests.