Tuesday, May 17, 2016
20 Ways For Toddlers to Reach Maximum Effort
Over and over again, I have seen parents complain about their toddlers not wanting to sit still or play with toys. Many lament the fact that they seem too busy to focus on much of anything. And, over and over again I remind them that toddlers are meant to move!
We cannot underestimate the need to exert maximum effort for toddlers. They are working so hard to develop all their muscles that they often can't stop. Their inner drive to move just overpowers them. I still see this with Nora now, even though she's rapidly closing in on 2-years-old. She still needs opportunities to reach maximum effort and just do heavy work in general.
So, what are some ways that toddlers can exert maximum effort? Here are a few easy ones --
- Carrying around large purse or backpack
- Using large foam blocks
- Walking over pillows
- Move a bucket of water
- Pushing a loaded laundry basket
- Small weights
- Carrying couch cushions or large pillows
- Catch with a super large ball
- Pushing/Pulling a weighted wagon
- Dumping a bucket of sand
- Scooping gravel
- Carrying a cardboard box
- Climbing a slide
- Weighted Jugs
- Loading books in and out of basket or box
- Over-sized Pouring -- large watering can or ball drop
- Climbing a Pickler Triangle
- Carrying objects up stairs
- Using a pulley
- Loading larger rocks into container -- dump truck, bucket, wagon or wheel barrow