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Bath Time.
Add a few Ping-Pong balls to your toddler's bath toys. Play a "pop up" game by showing your toddler how the balls pop back up after holding them under the water and letting go.
Finding the Noise.
Hide a loudly ticking clock or a softly playing radio in a room and have your child find it. Take turns by letting him hide it and you find.
"Hidden" Treasures.
Clean plastic containers with push or screw-on lids are great places to "hide" a favorite object or treat. Toddlers will practice pulling and twisting them to solve the "problem" of getting the object. Watch to see if your toddler asks you to help.
Mailbox.
Cut a rectangular hole in the top of a shoebox. Let your toddler insert an old deck of playing cards or used envelopes. The box is easy storage for your toddler's "mail."
Make a Book of Textures.
Paste different textures on each page. Materials such as sandpaper, feathers, cotton balls, nylon, silk, and buttons lend themselves to words such as rough, smooth, hard, and soft. Encourage your child to touch.
Make Your Own Playdough.
Mix 2 cups flour and 3/4 cup salt. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons salad oil. Knead well until it's smooth; add food coloring, and knead until color is fully blended. Toddlers will love squishing, squeezing, and pounding the dough.
Matching Game.
Many everyday items (socks, spoons, shoes, mittens) can help your toddler learn about matching. Hold up an object, and ask if she can find one like yours. Name the objects while playing the game.
Noticing What's Wrong.
Turn objects upside down (books, cups, shoes) and see if your toddler notices they're wrong and turns them back the right way. Your toddler will begin to enjoy playing "silly" games.
Play the "Show Me" Game
When looking at books, ask your toddler to find an object in a picture. Take turns. Let your toddler ask you to find an object in a picture. Let him turn the pages.
Sing a Body Parts Naming Song
A good body parts song is "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." Get more detailed with body parts by naming teeth, eyebrows, fingernails, and so forth.
Adapted from ASQ-3TM User's Guide by Squires, Twombly, Bricker, & Potter. © 2009 Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.