[MUSIC PLAYING]
Once my baby started walking, playtime got a lot more active.
And as a mom of three, I spent a lot of time playing and running after my
three kids.
Sometimes it seemed like we just playing the same thing
over and over again.
But that's OK, because little ones like and need repetition in order to
develop new skills.
Play is so important at every stage for their mental and physical
development.
And once they're walking and running, it changes again.
Their ability to interact with others, their ability to make believe, and
solve simple problems makes playtime more interactive and
fun for both of you.
Here are a few of our favorites that kept short attention spans and active
bodies entertained.
As children develop new mental skills, puzzles become a great tool
as well as a toy.
Puzzles were a favorite in our house and they are an excellent way to help
brain development.
They help teach shapes and colors.
They're fun.
And they help with hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills,
which are still developing.
We kept them simple at first with large pieces that couldn't be eaten.
Don't laugh, it happens.
A four piece puzzle is a great way to start.
Working your way up to more complex puzzles from there.
Once they've mastered a favorite puzzle, we turn the pieces upside down
for an additional challenge.
At first it felt like they were just being rascals, but at this age, my
little ones really did love running away from me and being chased after.
They love the movement and the anticipation and it is good for them.
They're putting together multiple skills they've learned in order to
play with you.
I'd make a big deal out of it when I caught them and give them the payoff
they were after.
Then I'd let them chase me.
Playing chase was a great way to burn off a little extra energy, especially
for my more active babies.
Their fine motor skills began to develop around this age.
Finger-painting and drawing helped with this.
They love the feel of the paint on their fingers and
making marks on paper.
And believe it or not, that messy paint stimulates the senses and lets
them experience a variety of textures.
I know it looks like a mess.
But it is a learning experience for them.
We'd spread out some craft paper and turn the floor into
a toddler art studio.
We also learned the hard way to make sure we were on a surface they could
handle a few stray marks.
An important milestone happens around this age.
The ability to make believe.
We'd hear our children talking to their toys in their room or watch them
imagining adventures in the living room.
We'd turn our sofa cushions into a cave or a fort to play inside of.
Or we'd use sheets to make a tent.
There are pop-up tents on the market, but I always thought the homemade kind
helped our imagine possibilities.
And they could be made with items I already had around the house.
Throwing or kicking a ball sounds easy enough, but there are a lot of
different skills coming together in that simple game.
They are now learning to coordinate many different movements in their body
while they watch an object.
It is amazing when you think about it.
And my children loved it.
Something as simple as tossing a ball back and forth was endless
entertainment.
Plus, watching their little face when they kick the ball across the room was
a lot of fun.
As my little ones became more active, it was almost a gold medal event when
it came to changing them.
But I found that using high quality big girl pants like these make
changing a breeze.
So we could keep the play time going.
Playtimes during this stage are some of my favorite
memories of my children.
Whatever games you play, I'm sure you're enjoying your time together.
Each child is unique and your love and play are just what they
need at every stage.
Visit Pampers' YouTube channel for more parenting tips.