Toddler Play: 100 Fun-Filled Activities to Maximize Your Toddler's Potential »

Dr. Wendy S. Masi is a developmental psychologist specializing in early childhood. She has designed and implemented programs for preschools, families with young children, and early childhood professionals for more than 20 years. Dr. Masi is the dean of the Family Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is the mother of four children.

Children are naturally ready to learn, and parents are eager to teach them. TODDLER PLAY was created specifically to help parents teach their children through age-appropriate play that is fun and relaxed. Based on the content of the successful Gymboree's Play & Music Programs, this book is a "recipe book" of games, finger rhymes, nursery songs, and craft exercises that parents can use to help their children develop physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills.

Filled with fabulous color and fun photos, the book is structured chronologically to match key stages in a child's physical and intellectual development. Written with busy parents in mind, the book contains many quick-reference features, such as a skills checklist, cross-referencing of similar activities, and an index listing games by type of activity, such as art, ball games, discovery games, music and movement exploration, water play, etc. With over 100 activities any toddler will enjoy, quality playtime is just a page away.

Check out the great features of TODDLER PLAY:

• Contains over 100 toddler-tested activities for quality play time.
• Features exciting, age-appropriate activities, clearly labeled to help parents match activities with the child's abilities.
• Written for parents of children ages 1 to 3 years.
• Includes a wide variety of play activities, such as active physical games for strengthening growing muscles or quieter creative games for stimulating the imagination and fostering independence.
• Developed in consultation with the play experts at Gymboree Play & Music Programs.
• Contains a helpful glossary of key terms used in child development.

Dr. Wendy S. Masi is a developmentalpsychologist specializing in early childhood. She has designed and implemented programs for preschools, families with young children, and early childhood professionals for more than 20 years. Dr. Masi is the dean of the Family Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is the mother of four children.

INTRODUCTION

PLAY ACTIVITIES

A GUIDE TO ACTIVITIES

12 MONTHS & UP

Pass the Ball

The Finger Band

Parachute Play

Rhyme Time

Bubble Busters

Clap, Clap, Clap

At Their Own Pace

Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The Pillow Course

Hats On!

Freeze Dance

Twinkle, Twinkle

The Wheels on the Bus

Band on the Run

Peekaboo Boxes

Funny Feet

Cardboard Cottages

Picture This

Repetition in Play

Fun-Filled Jars

Silly Lap Songs

I Have a Little Duck

Just Like Me

A Star Is Born

Mirror, Mirror

Hey Mr. Knickerbocker

18 MONTHS & UP

Paper-Bag Blocks

Size Wise

Hide Your Eyes

Shake It Up, Baby!

Sand Skills

Photo Fun

The Magic of Music

Tambourine Time

Crayon Creations

Count With Me

Hide-and-Seek

Cereal Challenge

Shape to Fit

Water the Plants

Surprise!

Rhythm Time

Toddler Parade

Playing With Siblings

Baby Basketball

The Noble Duke of York

Tube Tricks

The Choo-Choo Train

Tantalizing Textures

Tree Talk

Magnet Magic

Open Shut Them!

24 MONTHS & UP

Beach-Ball Catch

Balancing Act

Puppet Play

Train Trips

The "No" Stage

Pny Rides

Head to Toes

Circle Songs

Play Aquarium

Scarf Tricks

Ring-A-Ling

Beanbag Bowling

Waterworks

Who Are We?

Footstep Fun

Bath Time for Baby

Care for the Animals

The Many Forms of Play

Magic Cups

Beep, Beep

Drive the Fire Truck

Purse Treasures

Touch and Tell

Play With Clay

If the Shoe Fits

Mystery Sounds

Doll Talk

Color Clusters

30 MONTHS AND UP

Water Targets

Paint Primer

Flashlight Fun

Nature vs. Nurture

Hey Mr. Jumping Jack

Up It Goes!

Paper Puzzle

On Target!

Colorful Collages

Beautiful Box

Turn Around

Mini Mimes

Car Capers

Funny Faces

Toddler Talk

Mighty Megaphones

Ribbon Rings

Magnify Matters

Rain-Stick Music

Shape Sorter

Count & Seek

Leaf Lineup

Copycat

Animal Actors

GLOSSARY

INDEX

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS