What To Expect With Your Toddler’s Imagination

By Jana Angeles

A toddler’s imagination is a mixed bag. Sometimes they’ll find odd things interesting or they’ll observe a little too closely, you never know what to expect! Because of their curiosity, toddlers will begin to explore and observe more on what’s around them. There are some questions they would want to find the answers to, so being able to play and observe are just a number of qualities your toddler will have when it comes to their imagination.

Play becomes a daily part of their routine so if you find your little one switching to a different toy everyday, wanting to go outside or making a racquet in the kitchen with the pots and pans, they are constantly learning about the world around them and the things that exist within it.

So what things can I expect from my toddler’s imagination?

You’ll notice a couple of things from your little one. Toddlers will find some things fascinating, even from the simplest things. They become creative and observant and from there, they’ll be able to interact and be “in their own world” for a little while. Your toddler would most likely enjoy the following things:

Pretend play and imitating the actions of grown-ups and older children
Messy play (craft activities, etc)
Making their own ‘music’ and dancing
Singing to songs and rhymes

What activities will stimulate my child’s imagination?

Dressing up and pretend play. Playing certain scenarios with your children will help them understand certain roles people play in society. You can give them ideas to either dress up as a police officer, nurse, doctor, teacher or detective. Costumes are a great way to get their imagination running and you can also be part of it too! You can make up scenarios together and help them feel confident in their roles. You may inspire them to chase these roles as career choices too when they get older.
Music. There are plenty children’s CDs out there that you and your child can listen to. If you know your toddler has a favourite show that has a great musical score, see if their website is selling the soundtrack. Having your kids dance and sing can be a great way for you to bond with them.
Reading books. Reading books allows your child to engage with you when it comes to storytelling. Even if they’re not at that age where they can completely understand what’s happening with the characters, making it entertaining can help increase their vocabulary and listening skills in the future.
Crayons and paper. Though things can get a little messy, your toddler can use their imagination and draw, even if it means doing scribbles around the page. For them, this can help them see different colours and feel the texture of the crayon.

Cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes can be anything, which is why they’re so great to use! You can make a house, tabletop, shopping mall, or whatever your child’s heart desires. Cardboard boxes allow your child to be creative. They can also interact and play with their toys, putting them in various scenarios!
Water play. Getting a bucket of water and creating bubbles with your child is always a treat. Let them create bubbles with their hands and compete against each other on who can blow the biggest bubble.

Note: When your kids are playing, be sure to supervise them at all times, especially when it comes to water play. Never leave your children unattended and don’t let your older children supervise your younger kids either. Anything can happen so it’s best to be safe than sorry!

All in all, your child’s imagination will make you laugh, confused or maybe possibly upset if they’re unaware of how wrong their actions can be. Make sure to make the most of these years because you’ll never see creativity like this again once they’re all grown up. Having an imagination rules, so do whatever you can to get yourselves involved and nurture it for as long as you can.