Activities to Build Your Toddler's Skills

It's easy to think of your 1-year-old as a helpless baby. She still has those chubby cheeks, that round belly, and those dimply little hands. And while she's starting to walk and maybe even talk a bit, she still can't do very much.

Or can she? You might be surprised by how many tasks your child can handle if you give her the chance. "Toddlers have real capabilities," says Tovah Klein, PhD, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development, in New York. "By encouraging them to use their skills, you can help nurture their development." So go ahead: Let your child try these activities.

At this age, your child likes to mimic the things you do. Take advantage of this (and instill good habits) by having her help you pick up toys, throw away trash, and wipe up spills with a paper towel. Let your toddler's interest in specific tasks guide you: Abby Ernster, of Novi, Michigan, enjoys emptying the spoons from the dishwasher with her mother, Stephanie. And 18-month-old Luke Landskov makes a game out of dropping dirty clothes into the washing machine. "He loves to help me," says his mom, Leighellen, of Seattle.

Art projects don't have to wait until preschool. Toddlers like to create things too, but they need a lot of time to experiment with how art materials work. Finger painting, sponge painting, and drawing with crayons or markers will allow them to accomplish these goals.

To minimize mess, use washable materials and cover the table and floor. Give your child as much space to work in as possible: At this age, his fine motor skills are fairly limited, so he'll need to use his entire arm -- not just his wrist and hand -- to draw, says Donna Hunt O'Brien, a training manager at Parents as Teachers, a nonprofit education and support program based in St. Louis.