The other day, I gave my 16 month old son some cubes of cheese for lunch. He's going through a fussy-eating phase, so I am hovering like a nervous bird while he sups. So imagine my delight when he eagerly reached for the cheese and . . . Not terribly nutritious, but it sure is telling about what amuses little toddlers.
Blocks are an absolute staple in the toy box, beginning when babies can first grasp a toy.
As babies get older, they start exerting control over their environment. Show your baby how to put blocks into a small bucket, then how to take them out. This activity can amuse a little one for hours, especially when your baby becomes proficient at sitting. For toddlers, the Block Tower is tremendous fun. Stacking the blocks on top of one another is detailed work that requires coordination, fine motor control, and concentration.