Last modified: September 19, 2024

Encouraging Your Child to Play with Toys

A child’s growth and learning can be greatly enhanced through toy play. Sometimes children do not get the full advantage of toy play because appropriate toys are not available or because children need encouragement to play with and learn about toys. It is a good idea to spend a few minutes each day helping your child learn how to play with toys. Here are a few suggestions you could do to help your child:

• Choose a few toys you would like the child to play with
• Praise any attempts the child makes to explore and play with a toy
• If needed, take the child’s hands and help him or her feel, smell, or listen to the toy.
• Let the child do his or her “own thing” with the toy. Imitate the child and pause to let him or her take a turn.
• Show the child different ways to play with the toy

For example, a tub of water can be splashed in, used to soak a sponge, or used for scooping and pouring with a cup. If you have some blocks, you could show your child how to build a tower, a house, or a farm. As your child becomes more familiar with how to play with certain toys, give less help with they toy and encourage your child to do more on his or her own. Expand to new and more challenging toys.