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Fun and games (2 to 4)

Fun and games (2 to 4)

Your child is now talking and seeking more independence. They’ll have favourite toys and types of activities, so you need to let them have some choice. They may also be attending nursery or playgroup, where they will be exposed to different kinds of toys.

Toys at home

You still have control over the toys you allow into the home – you might be against toy guns, for example. There will be peer pressure for the first time, and your child might get jealous of toys that a friend has, so you have to be prepared to say no to certain toys. Try not to think of toys as being ‘for girls’ or ‘for boys’ – for example, it is normal for boys to enjoy playing with dolls.

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As seen on TV

You will notice that toddlers who watch TV will be drawn to toys which are character spin-offs from their favourite shows: Teletubbies, Tweenies, Night Garden and Clifford, for example. This is only natural, and most of these toys are of good quality and educational.

“100 yards in less than a minute – my toddler’s an Olympic tricyclist!”

Your child will have moved on from passive ride-on toys to things like three-wheeled scooters and tricycles. A child can travel a surprisingly long way very quickly on one of these, so keep them supervised outdoors, and well away from traffic.

Dressing up

With potty training has come the ability to dress and undress, and children like to dress up to mimic their favourite characters. Costumes are a great addition to the role-playing games that toddlers love to play.

Amongst the other toys 3 to 4 year-olds like are:

• dolls
• cars
• simple jigsaws
• playdough
• crayons and other art materials.

Safety first!

Make sure all toys are non-toxic, particularly playdough, crayons, paint and pens.
Watch for choke hazards.
Keep sharp objects such as scissors away from children.
Toddlers can run or scoot very quickly – keep them supervised.

And don’t forget books! Reading to your child every night will help your child develop a life-long interest in reading, help you to bond with your child, and get them to sleep faster.