PRACTICAL LIFE

• Carry bags of groceries inside
• Get mail
• Feed/give water to pets
• Throw trash away
• Sort recyclables (plastic, paper, and glass)
• Sort light/dark laundry
• Empty clean laundry into basket
• Empty dishes out of dishwasher
• Set the table for meals
• Clear plates after meals
• Pour water with small pitcher
• Sweep up dirt with small dustpan
• Wipe up spills
• Water the plants
• Fold towels/washcloths
• Scrub plastic toys with soapy water (such as large     riding toy for a car wash)
• Dressing themselves
• Undressing themselves
• Opening/closing zippers
• Opening/closing Velcro
• Buttoning
• Sleep in bed instead of crib
• Wear underwear
• Help make bed (pull up covers & place pillows)
• Place stamp on envelopes
• Let them fix your hair
• Have them give you a foot massage
• Use appropriate utensils for eating
• Always wash hands before eating and after toileting

COOKING/FOOD PREP

• Make personal pizzas (spread sauce, sprinkle cheese, and add toppings)
• Make burritos (add toppings and roll)
• Scramble eggs (crack eggs, whisk them, pour into pan)
• Make smoothies
• Scoop melon balls
• Get own snack
• Spread jelly, hummus, etc on bread or crackers
• Slice bananas with a butter knife
• Scrub vegetables with a brush
• Wash fruit

*See Food Prep sheet on back to discover other ideas to include your toddler in cooking activities

LANGUAGE

• Name everything using appropriate terminology
• Identify feelings (yours and theirs)
• Discuss the sequence of events
• Have them tell you a story
• Play “I spy” games with vocabulary words
• Finger plays
• Matching games

 
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

• Encourage them to put their “toys” away
• Set up an environment that has order
• Encourage appropriate manners
• Encourage gentle touches when exploring materials  and other people and animals
• Set clear limits/expectations
• Establish consistent routines (i.e. take bath, brush     teeth, read book, and get tucked into bed)

 
SENSORY

• Discuss how things smell (use descriptive words)
• Discuss how things taste (use descriptive words)
• Discuss how things sound (use descriptive words)
• Discuss how things feel (use descriptive words)
• Sort objects by color, size, shape, and other   characteristics
• Describe the characteristics of objects
• Take a nature walk; discuss the variety of textures,   colors, smells, etc.
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Let them tell you when the traffic light is green

FINE MOTOR/HAND-EYE COORDINATION

• Puzzles
• Posting items inside containers (water bottle)
• Painting with brush
• Finger painting
• Playdough
• Drawing with chalk on the sidewalk
• Using scissors
• Using brush to glue items together
• Lacing/threading beads on shoestring
• Stickers
• Opening/closing containers
• Building structures with blocks
• Make a tall tower
• Rolling placemats or small towels
• Pick up small objects