Activities For One-Year-Old Babies and Toddlers At Home Or In The Classroom

What should I do with a baby all day?! Whether you are a new mom, a preschool teacher, or a dedicated childcare provider, spending the day with one-year-old children isn't always easy! Between the feedings, the diapers, the tears (from both baby and adult!), and the lack of clear verbal communication on the part of our tiny counterparts, caring for children during early childhood can be confusing, frustrating, and exhausting.

The good news is that by learning and implementing a few foundational principles, you can create days filled with more wonder, more learning, better communication, and a healthy emotional connection for both baby and adult!

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One-Year-Old Milestones

What kinds of activities for one-year-old children are appropriate, engaging, and most helpful? One-year-olds are developing rapidly, and most enjoy a balance of independent play and adult attention. It is essential to follow your child and let them lead activities and exploration at their own pace and preference. Otherwise, you will continually find yourself in a power struggle with a baby that cannot be won!

Through the intentional use of free play & exploration, consistent & caring adult attention, and structured interactions that provide children with exposure to speech and language, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, children at this age will grow at a rapid pace. By using activities that are developmentally appropriate and by helping your child to develop a secure attachment within a safe nurturing environment, you will see your early learners flourish and thrive!

There is a wide range of skills acquired between 12 and 24 months, and a big difference in abilities, understanding, and independence between a 13-month-old and a 20-month-old. Try to offer activities and experiences that present an appropriate challenge for children, but that are not going to create continual

frustration or cannot be accomplished without direct adult assistance. Children learn best when the experience is within their zone of proximal development.

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Activities For One-Year-Old Babies and Toddlers

Here are some key ideas to remember when caring for a 12-24 month old:

1. Less Is More. Choose a few structured lessons or activities to promote your child's development, but don't feel the need or even try to fill their day with endless stimulation. It's too much! Give them space to explore at their own developmental pace, based on their interests and unique personalities.

2. Follow Their Lead. Tiny humans know what they want and know what they need. Of course, they are mostly helpless, and therefore need the love and care of nurturing adults. But, that doesn't mean they can't be trusted to show us the way! Pay attention to what your child prefers and to what they gravitate toward most naturally. Play to their strengths, and use organic opportunities that arise to promote their development, instead of trying to force or mold them in ways that don't feel natural to them.

3. Keep It Simple. Just because you saw a great idea on Instagram or Pinterest doesn't mean your version needs to be photo-worthy in order to be effective! Don't let the illusion of perfection keep you from implementing great actvities or lessons with your babies and toddlers. (Remember, they are way too little to know whether your creations are museum quality, anyway!)

Need ideas? Check out my bestselling Curriculum For Babies And Toddlers (1-Year-Olds): 130 Lessons and Activities in my TpT shop for the streamlined version!

Looking for a full curriculum for 1-Year-Olds that will span a whole year? Check out the One-Year-Old Curriculum Entire Year Bundle for a comprehensive and professional early childhood resource!