Activities to Enhance Large Motor Skills: 12-18 Months

By Jamie Loehr, M.D. and Jen Meyers
December 14, 2009
Kathryn Gamble
Your toddler is starting to walk and beginning to master her large motor skills. Jamie Loehr, M.D. and Jen Meyers, authors of "Raising Your Child," suggest these activities in order to help her develop these skills.
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Boxes Make Great Toys

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Save large boxes for your child to play with and in. Cut holes in the sides for windows and doors. He'll love crawling in and out of the boxes, and it's a great hiding place.

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Throw and Kick a Ball

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Show your toddler how to throw and kick a ball. Play with small and large balls.

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Push and Pull

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Provide your child with push or pull toys. He's at the right age for pulling something along with him as he walks, and he'll also love pushing around large cars and trucks, other push toys, and even some of your furniture.

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Use Riding Toys

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Have ride-on toys for your child to play with: little cars that are powered the Fred Flintstone way (with feet on the ground), tricycles, or rocking horses.

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Dance With Him

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Dance with your child. Put on some music you love to dance to and boogie!

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Raising Your Child

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.

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Must-Knows On Tech and Child Development: Take Fewer Photos!

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