11 ways to encourage your toddler's physical development: photos

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  Climbing and balancing

  One of the things toddlers love to do is take their new walking skills and up the ante just a bit. It may be balancing on the edge of a stair or climbing up and down a sofa or chair.
  
  Read more about climbing and balancing and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  2 / 11

  Drawing and scribbling

  Applaud these early doodles, which encourage a whole raft of new abilities. Drawing with a crayon involves fine motor skills such as grasping and holding, for instance, as well as boosting your child's visual acumen and tapping his imagination.
  
  Read more about drawing and scribbling and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Dressing and undressing

  Putting things on and taking them off is a toddler delight. But your child isn't doing it to tax your patience. And dressing and undressing herself or a toy provides a host of opportunities for her to practice her finger and hand coordination.
  
  Read more about dressing and undressing and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Filling and emptying

  You child will soon learn that, emptying a container requires a lot less precision than filling one. As exasperating as it may seem this dumping is an important cognitive exercise, too. Your child is beginning to realize that one object, like a bucket, can hold another object, like a load of sand or water.
  
  Read more about filling and dumping and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Moulding and squishing

  Toddlers love to smell, taste, and touch. If you give your child plenty of fun-to-feel materials to keep her little hands busy, she'll have fun while developing the strength and agility of those tiny hands.
  
  Read more about moulding and squishing and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Pushing and pulling

  If he's still learning to walk, push and pull toys are perfect for your child. They combine the skills he's already developed, such as pushing himself up from the floor and pulling himself into a standing position, with the one he is pursuing so desperately -- upright locomotion.
  
  Read more about pushing and pulling and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Rolling and pedalling

  Once your toddler learns that his legs are the key to mobility, he'll love using them to get around on his own set of wheels.
  
  Your child may begin by using both feet at the same time and then start "walking" with his feet. Once your toddler has mastered this and is ready to pedal (probably well after his second birthday), a tricycle will help him develop his leg muscles and general co-ordination.
  
  Read more about rolling and pedalling and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Running and jumping

  Toddlers love to run, climb and jump but getting both feet to leave the ground at once, is harder than most of us remember and frustrating for the child who wants to, but can't.
  
  Read more about running and jumping and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Stacking, sorting and stringing

  Carefully balancing one block on top of another or placing coloured rings on a pole or stacking and knocking down everything is a toddler tradition. It's also a fantastic way for your child to use his ever-more-nimble fingers and to work on sorting and building skills.
  
  Read more about stacking, sorting and stringing and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Swimming and splashing

  Water play is a great way to build co-ordination and help your child get comfortable with his body, but it's important to take your cues from your child when introducing him to the water. Some children love to put their heads under water; for others this is a huge step. Some love to splash; others prefer to paddle quietly about.
  
  Read more about swimming and splashing and how they help your toddler's development.
  
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  Throwing and catching

  Balls of various sizes to be thrown, caught, or rolled develop hand-eye coordination as well as agility. This skill is a progression: your child will start with rolling, then go on to bouncing a ball and throwing underhanded before finally learning to throw overhand.
  
  Read more about throwing and catching and how they help your toddler's development.
  

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