Supporting your toddler’s cognitive development doesn’t need to be complicated—or expensive.
Everyday tasks and routines offer wonderful opportunities to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and early learning skills.
As a birth-to-three developmental therapist, I love sharing simple, accessible ways for parents to embed learning moments into their daily routines.
Here are three easy and fun activities to help your toddler’s cognitive growth from 18 to 24 months.
The best part? You can seamlessly work these suggestions into your day while checking off tasks on your to-do list.
1. Fold Laundry Together
Why It Helps: Toddlers learn a lot by observing and imitating their caregivers, and imitation is a critical building block for future skills, including language development, problem-solving, and motor skills.
What to Do:
- While folding laundry, encourage your little one to watch what you’re doing.
- Slowly fold a towel or pair of socks and see if they’ll mimic your movements.
- Offer simple commentary like, “Look how we fold the towel in half!”
Not only does this activity promote cognitive development through imitation, but it’s also a great chance to spend quality time together while tackling a daily chore.
2. Count While Climbing Stairs
Why It Helps: Counting builds your child’s early math and memory skills. Consistently hearing numbers—even before fully understanding them—lays the groundwork for numeracy.
What to Do:
- Every time you go up or down stairs, count the steps together out loud.
- Start by modeling it yourself (“One, two, three…”), and then pause after a few numbers to see if your child will try to fill in the blanks.
- Gradually encourage them to count independently as they gain confidence and understanding.
The regular repetition makes counting fun and natural. Plus, your toddler will love the feeling of accomplishment when they start joining in!
3. Explore Packaging for Early Literacy
Why It Helps: Environmental print—the words, logos, and pictures we see on snack packaging or cereal boxes—is an easy and effective introduction to early literacy. Recognizing logos and symbols helps toddlers begin associating written text with meaning, a foundational skill for reading readiness.
What to Do:
- During snack time, grab a package or box and explore it together.
- Point to any letters, logos, or pictures on the packaging. Say things like, “Look, this word says crackers!” or “I see a big red apple on the box.”
- Ask simple questions like, “Can you find the orange on this package?”
This kind of shared exploration sparks curiosity and helps your toddler develop awareness of letters, symbols, and language in their everyday world.
Final Thoughts
The toddler years are an exciting time to help your little one learn and grow. By incorporating these simple activities into your daily routines, you can create meaningful opportunities to support their development without requiring extra time or fancy materials.
Looking for more practical ideas to encourage growth and learning? Find them here!
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.