Social interaction skills
A toddler participates in a back-and-forth physical activity with a caregiver.
Be Prepared: Use or create a wide and tall tunnel for this activity.
Invite a toddler to join you in rolling a ball back and forth through a tunnel. Explain that we will play together. Invite the toddler to sit on one end of the tunnel. Roll the ball through the tunnel to the toddler and encourage him/her to roll the ball back to you. The toddler may not wish to use the tunnel. Encourage several more rounds of rolling the ball back and forth. Describe actions focused on the back-and-forth arrangement. Example: “I rolled the ball to you, William. Now you have the ball! You can roll the ball back to me!” If the ball gets stuck in the tunnel, use words and gestures to encourage the toddler to figure out how to get the ball. This may be a simple solution, such as lifting the tunnel. It is important to positively recognize as a contribution to your shared effort.
Most toddlers enjoy playing with balls, and this activity provides a new material (the tunnel) to use with a ball. The emphasis is on playing cooperatively, not on successful movement of the ball. Make accommodations to minimize motor challenges of rolling and catching a ball so the emphasis is on your exchanges with the toddler. Accommodations might include adjusting the length of the tunnel, not using the tunnel, or sitting close to the toddler. Show enthusiasm and excitement as the ball is passed back and forth. Say the toddler’s name frequently during this brief activity.
Extra support
Enrichment
Social interaction skills
Toddlers work together in a shared painting activity.
Be Prepared: This activity is for toddlers who are familiar with using a paintbrush and paint. Use the tape to affix the sheet of paper to a low table. Snack-size paper plates or shallow trays are useful for holding paint. Place a spoonful of paint on each plate/tray. To minimize mess and loss if a plate/tray is dropped or spilled, avoid using too much paint at a time. Paint can be added as needed during the activity.
Invite 3–4 toddlers to paint whatever they wish on a section of the same large sheet of paper. After helping each toddler put on a smock, encourage each toddler to stand at a different place at the table, such as one toddler on each side of the table. Place a plate/tray of paint in front of each toddler and invite each to begin painting.
Periodically briefly comment that the toddlers are painting together. Say each toddler’s name several times as you talk about what is happening.
Point out similar actions with the brushes. Example: “Neveah and Joshua are making dots with the paint. Neveah is making red dots. Joshua is making green dots.”
Help toddlers share the paints. Example: “I think Antonio is trying to reach the yellow paint. Joshua, the yellow paint is close to you. Would you please give the yellow paint to Antonio?”
Toddlers are likely to leave the activity at different points. Acknowledge each toddler’s departure from the table. Example: “Joey is done painting. It was fun to have Joey join the painting.”
Display the dry painting on a wall for others to enjoy.
This activity can foster a positive sense of being part of a small gathering of peers. This emphasis is more important than the results of painting. The shared activity includes the same table and sheet of paper and paints, but individuality in what is painted. Toddlers are not expected to work together to produce a particular image. Children will likely differ in their level of interest in painting. Some may enjoy experimenting with each paint color and making different marks on the paper, whereas others may paint briefly and move to another activity.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: see below
Gather materials related to a current interest of toddlers in your room. The interest may be a particular type of animal or toy. Arrange the materials in an appealing manner in a designated part of your room. Create a simple theme that can support toddlers’ joint activities with the shared materials. Visit the setting on a regular basis to encourage cooperation and toddlers’ sense of belonging to the play setting.
Materials Needed: paper—1 sheet per child, age-appropriate paintbrushes—1 per child, 4 containers for paint, 4 colors of washable tempera paint, paint smocks—1 per child
Invite toddlers and older children to create paintings that can be displayed and enjoyed in your setting. Provide a sheet of paper for each interested child. Toddlers will enjoy watching older children paint and may imitate some of their actions. Older infants may enjoy holding a wet, chubby paintbrush and “painting” on a piece of construction paper.
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