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Recommendations from a Pediatric OT for 1-2 year olds
16
items So much happens between 1 and 2! That’s why we often use their age in months during this time. Here to recommend the best things to keep your child developing essential skills!
Sections
4
Toys
Communication
Fine Motor
Feeding
Toys
Toys with a purpose! Specifically recommended to target achieving developmental milestones!
Stacking is an important developmental milestone and these can ease some frustration cause by traditional blocks
B. toys Buildin’ Squishies - 30pc Soft Sensory Building Blocks
Great for problem solving, fine motor skill development, and learning cause/effect
B. toys - Interactive Toy - Pop-Up Buddies: Educational Baby & Toddler Toy for Memory & Fine Motor Skills
A fun toy for your walkers! Did you know by 18 months kids can begin helping with simple household tasks? Not vacuuming 🤣 but start with picking up toys or wiping their spot after a meal 🙂
VTech 4-in-1 Push & Play Vacuum
Puzzles are a great way to build problem solving and fine motor skills!
Melissa & Doug Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set - Fish and Pets 6pc: Educational Toys for Fine Motor Skills
Communication
12-24 months your baby should start labeling objects and making sounds. Talk to your pediatrician if your child is not talking at all by 18 months. Early intervention is so important!
Bath time is a great time to work on early communication skills—name the animal and say the sounds (cow.. MOOOO)
Munchkin Farm Squirts Bath Toy 8pk: Educational Animal Learning, Fun Plastic Toys
This book says 100+ words, great for naming objects and isolating index finger to point
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
A fun, interactive way to learn words. Label everything at this age! APPLE, DONUT— If you think they are saying the word, they probably are :)
Learning Resources A to Z Mini Foods: Toddler Educational Toy Set, Alphabet Learning, 26 Plastic Pieces
Fine Motor
Toys specifically targeting the development of fine motor skills! By 2, your toddler should scribble with crayons, crumple/tear paper, rotate knobs, unbutton large buttons, string large beads and complete a simple shape sorter.
It is developmentally appropriate for your 1 year old to have a whole handed grasp—these place babies hand in a thumb down position necessary for more advanced grasp patterns
Crayola 3ct Washable Palm Grasp Crayons Stage 1
Is my kid the only one pulling all the wipes and Kleenex’s out of the box?! Great for fine motor development and replacement for those kids that can’t help themselves from removing everything
Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog Tissue Time: Plastic Baby & Toddler Toys, BPA-Free, 11 Pieces
I love how this shape sorter doesn’t need to be opened to get the shapes back out!
Chuckle & Roar Interactive Shape Sorter Toy with Lights & Sounds, Silicone Shapes and 3 Play Modes, Ages 1–3+
This toy says 3+, but did you know it’s actually developmentally appropriate for kids 1-2 to begin stringing large beads?! These beads should be large enough to not be a choking hazard, but please always supervise your child!
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Lacing Beads - Educational Activity With 27 Beads and 2 Laces
Putting “in”, poking, opening and more! And it’s never too early to talk about colors and numbers!
B. toys Rainbow Gumballs - Colors & Numbers Gumball Machine: Baby and Toddler Learning Toy, Fine Motor Skills Development
Feeding
Watch out for your good eater to suddenly become super picky. These plates are great because of all the sections. Give even portions of a variety of foods instead of a lot of the main dish when picky eating arises!
Silicone Suction Divided Plates - 3pk - Pink - Cloud Island™
Skip the plastic silverware. They don’t work well and that can be so frustrating to your toddler learning to be independent. Put food on the fork or spoon and set it down for them to bring to their mouth.
Munchkin Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon Set - 2pk – Blue
Offer silverware at every meal, but don’t force them to use it. Load a bite on it and set it on their plate. Use foods that are easy to poke to begin with to increase their success!
Stainless Steel Forks - 3pk - Pink/Rust - Cloud Island™
When you’re introducing the spoon, begin with foods that just require dipping and aren’t likely to fall off—think yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, etc! Success builds confidence for foods that require more control!
Stainless Steel Spoons - 3pk - Pink/Rust - Cloud Island™