Activities to Boost Cognitive Development: 12-18 Months

Read to your child! He is soaking up so much information at this age. If possible, aim for at least twenty minutes of reading per day. While looking at a book, ask him questions such as: "Where is the teddy bear?"

Recite nursery rhymes.

Sing songs with your child. Listen to music in the house and in the car, and choose music that you won't mind listening to again and again (and again). He'll start to sing along, and you may even recognize what he's singing from time to time!

Talk about shapes, colors, and numbers all day long. "That's a round, red ball." "We have only one banana left." "Let's find your green T-shirt."

Teach your toddler the names of his body parts and then ask him to point to his nose, eyes, ears, etc. Ask him to point to your nose, eyes, and ears.

Play games with instructions. Your child is increasingly able to follow simple directions and will be so proud of himself when he can do what you ask. This might include closing the door or bringing you the purple ball.

Raising Your Child: The Complete Illustrated Guide is an information-packed guide that leads parents through the ever changing maze of new behaviors, developments, and challenges present in a child's first six years. It is filled with essential information, expert advice, practical solutions, and key choices to ensure a child's healthy development for their first six years -- and set them up for success in later developmental stages. In addition to understanding their child's stage of development, readers are given parenting techniques and activities they can use with their child to maximize physical, emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development at every age and stage.

Get more ideas from Raising Your Child: The Complete Illustrated Guide to help with your toddler?s development.