2 years, 8 months old
Finding Joy in Little Moments
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 32 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
4 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello there, wonderful parent!
Here we are at Month 32, where each day seems to brim with exploration and bursts of personality. You might find yourself giggling at the funny faces your child makes or marveling at their endless energy.
Amidst the playful chaos, you’re witnessing a growing little person figuring out their world, with all its wonders and challenges. And oh, the stories they’re beginning to tell! Sometimes through words, sometimes just with their eyes, every moment matters.
Activity 1: Chalk Shapes
How: Head outside with some colorful chalk and draw big shapes on the pavement (a circle, a square, a triangle). Play a game where your child steps or jumps into the shapes as you name them together.
Why: This simple game introduces early shape recognition in a playful way. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to get moving! Your child learns through repetition and movement, and this is the best of both.
Activity 2: Kickball
How: Find a soft ball and an open space, then gently kick the ball to your child. Encourage them to kick it back. You could even try aiming for a simple target, like some cones or a chalk drawn circle on the wall.
Why: Kickball is great for coordination, balance, and just having fun together. It also introduces the concept of teamwork and taking turns in the most gentle way.
Bonus Activity: Exploring music!
Children love experimenting with and exploring music, and through this playful discovery they build language, coordination, listening skills, and confidence in a joyful and engaging way. Here are a few little ways to do this with your child.
🎵 Loud and Soft
Use an instrument, pots and wooden spoon, a stick and a bucket, or just your hands, feet and voice! Encourage your little one to sing or play loudly and then softly. They love noticing the difference in sound and feel proud when they can control it.
🥁 Fast and Slow Beats
Clap, stomp, tap or play along to a beat then switch, switching up the tempo. Toddlers delight in matching their movements to the rhythm, and experimenting with speed helps develop timing, coordination, and focus.
🎶 Echo Singing
Sing a short line or sound, and have your toddlers “echo” you back. They giggle at the repetition, learn turn-taking in conversation, and develop early pitch and memory skills. You may want to switch the roles, with you echoing them! A great song for echoing is the very popular "Bear Hunt" if you aren't familiar with this fun favorite here it is below.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
We’re going on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared!
Uh oh! Grass!
Long, wavy grass…
We can't go over it
we cant go under it
Oh No!
We will have to go through it!
Swishy swashy, swishy swashy!
mud- squelch, squelch
River – splash, splash
snowstorm- wooo hoooo, wooo hoooo
Forest – stumble trip
A cave- tip toe, tip toe
WHATS THAT?
One wet shiny nose, 2 big furry ears, 2 big goggly eyes
It’s a bear!!! 🐻
(RUN AWAY) You can run all the way back through everything again, back to their home and into bed "never to go on a bear hunt again". But the thrill of running away can sometimes be enough!
Tip: Like everything suggestion here, follow your child's lead. There is no pressure to do it all correctly; its just about having fun (and finding the bear at the end). If I felt my kids needed a faster version I just skip out a few lines, or only do a few of the "obsticals."
Do it around the garden, in the house, with a teddy hiding somewhere, out on a bush walk, or sing while rocking to sleep!
Book of the Month: Press Here
This interactive book invites little fingers to press, tilt, and shake the pages to see what happens next. It’s a journey of cause and effect within the magical realm of books.
Remember, whether it’s 'Press Here' or another favorite from your shelf, every story you share is about the closeness and your voice guiding them through a world of imagination.
Did You Know?
Drawing and scribbling, whether on paper or with chalk, builds the fine motor control your child will use later for writing. It’s incredible to think that a simple doodle today lays the groundwork for future storytelling and expression.
Social & Emotional Skill Building: Focus on Effort
Notice the little things this month, the focus they show when concentrating on a puzzle, the determination when learning a new word, the joy when they get it 'just right.' Try not to jump in, to help them or do it for them. Let them try, fail and try again. Wait to be asked for help. Then focus on their effort rather than just the result, this gently reinforces confidence and helps them learn that trying is part of growing.
✨ Remember
At the heart of all these activities, it’s really about being together, having fun, and sharing moments that make you both smile. Presence over performance, always.