Best Toys for Sensory and Motor Development
12 to 18 Months
Are you wondering what toys to get your child for the holidays that she will love AND promotes sensory and motor development?! We have the perfect ideas for you!
One-year-olds are on the go! They enjoy exploring and cruising around the house. They like to experiment and get into everything so of course they still need us adults to keep them safe! My top toy pick for this age? Tunnels! This toy grows with your child! As he gets older you can add more play components to the tunnel to encourage praxis skills and sequencing. You can even pair it with visual motor or school related tasks as they grow.
Sensory, Motor, and Coordination Tasks:
Reciprocal crawling
Bilateral coordination for integration of both sides of the brain
Proximal stability development through crawling
Hand-arch development influencing fine motor skills
General strengthening and mobility through transitioning in and out of standing
Reflex integration through reciprocal crawling
Development of viusal skills as child looks ahead to crawl from one place to another
Sequencing paired with a viusal motor task like stacking rings or stacking blocks
Environmental exploration
Vestibular and proprioceptive input through crawling and transitioning through various positions
Bonus Ideas!
Turn taking skills: take turns crawling through tunnel with another child
Language development: place farm animals at one side of the tunnel and have child go get an animal. When she returns say the animal name and make animal sounds together
Creative play: pretending to be an animal crawling through the tunnel (puppy dog or cat)
Written By: Carleigh , MS, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist