Interactive Child Games
Looking for a young child game that's educational?
Interactive child games help toddlers to improve their memory and vocabulary as well as being able to spend quality time with a parent or older sibling. You can promote vocabulary, listening, early game play, action and anticipation, especially where there's tickling involved!
Memory
Memory for toddlers is triggered by actions so linking words to actions will naturally aid the way their memory works. Keep the actions the same for familiar situations and toys. Gradually your child will replace the actions with the right words.
Examples are;
Teddy who strokes my face
Dog who barks
Sandwich that she eats, and so on..
Incy Wincy Spider
Incy wincy spider climbed up the water spout
Put alternate forefingers and thumbs together and climb them into the air.
Down came the rain and washed poor incy out
Imitate rain falling.
Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain
Imitate the sun shining.
So incy wincy spider climbed up the spout again
Repeat the climbing action.
This Little Piggy
This little piggy went to market
This little piggy stayed home
This little piggy had roast beef
This little piggy had none
This little piggy went
Wee wee wee, all the way home
This game can be played with one full hand of fingers or toes. Start at the big toe/thumb and it is the little toe/finger that races up an arm or leg to deliver a tickle on the tummy.
Round and Round
Round and round the garden
Like a teddy bear
One step, two step
Tickle you under there
Trace a circle on the palm and then move two steps with fingers to finally tickle under the arm. My daughter always received more of a tickle from the finger tracing around her palm than the tickle itself!
Pat a Cake
Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man
Bake me a cake, as fast as you can
Pat it and prick it and mark it with B
And put it in the oven for baby and me
Clap your hands to the rhythm, encouraging your child to the same.
Simon Says
Simon says put your hands on your head
Simon says touch your toes
Simon says clap your hands
Jump in the air
This game can be played with one child or a group. Ofcourse when Simon says the child should should perform the action. If Simon doesn't say then he should remain still. This game requires listening skills as well as action which makes it great for toddlers.
I'm a Little Teapot
I'm a little teapot short and stout
Here is my handle and here is my spout
One hand goes on the hip for the handle and the other curls out for the spout
When I'm all steamed up you'll hear me shout
Tip me up and pour me out
Bending at the waist to mimic a pouring action
Impress Me!
One to impress the grandparents or neighbours. An action they can carry out in response to your question.
How tall are you? Arms stretched high in the air.
Wave goodbye. Waving a hand.
Blow me a kiss. Kiss fingers and blow the palm of the hand.
How does daddy dance? Always brings a laugh!!
Also see Number Games for more interactive child games.
Pretend Play
Pretend play stimulates young children's minds in that they are copying your actions, and in doing so, beginning to understand them. When you play these games with your toddler you are helping her to build her repertoire of vocabulary through the repetition of familiar words.
With toddlers keep pretend play simple; games like feeding teddy, using a telephone and using a wooden spoon and saucepan. As they mature the games can become more complex. Also buying them a kids/small broom, vacuum or lawnmower. See more Pretend Play ideas
 **TIP- Tantrums in this age group are often related to your child feeling frustrated when they cannot express themselves. They can understand a good amount of language but can only verbalise roughly 50 words (at 18 months). You can help by trying to verbalise for them.
 Related Pages
Imitating Learning Games Number Games
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