The toddler stage is typically thought to run from when a child learns to walk through the age of two. Toddlers are working hard on learning not only to walk, but also learning to talk, solve problems, use their hands more effectively and be social. Craft ideas for toddlers are effective when they take into account the developmental levels and expected skills for toddlers. Craft activities that provide large and small muscle activity as well as encourage vocabulary development related to concepts such as color names, big and little and same and different are developmentally appropriate craft ideas.
Rainbow Colors
Toddlers are ready to begin to learn about matching colors and color names. A toddler craft activity to support this developmental skill is to help toddlers make rainbow magnets crafts. This craft activity requires a 6 x 6 piece of card stock cut into the shape of a rainbow, rainbow colored ribbons cut into strips, glue and a magnet. Prepare, ahead a time, the card stock rainbow arcs and glue the magnet to the back. Read the book, “What Makes a Rainbow”.
to the toddler. Have the toddler glue pieces of ribbon to the card stock rainbow arcs. When they are dry, let the toddler stick craft magnets o the fridge.
Toddlers like to experiment with different textures. Using play-doh in craft activities supports the creative nature of children and can be used to help develop concepts such as big and little. One way to use Play-doh as a craft activity for toddlers is to make round Christmas ornaments of different sizes and have the toddlers talk about which round ball ornament is big and which is little. To make the ornaments, let the toddlers choose a play-doh color and show them how to roll it into a ball. You may have to help them roll it until they get the hang of it. When the toddlers have balls of different sizes made, push a pipe cleaner through the middle of them to use as a hook for hanging. Let the craft ornaments dry and hang on a holiday tree, on a branch brought in from outdoors etc.
Same and Different
An important concept to help toddlers acquire is – same and different. A craft activity to help this developmental concept is to make shape popsicle stick puppet and host a dancing puppet show. Buy art form shapes and popsicle sticks at a craft store and help the toddlers glue shapes to the popsicle stick to make the puppets. Be sure there at least two of each shape glued to sticks. When the stick puppets are made, help the toddlers to put on a dancing puppet show by asking them to find two puppets that are alike or different to dance together. Play music while the puppets are dancing.
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