At-Home Activities for 18 to 23 Months

Pre-writing skills are learned through play, and this sensory experience will help your child develop her hand muscles, work on fine motor skills and express herself creatively.

To grasp and control pencils and crayons, your toddler needs plenty of time to explore and experiment with appropriate materials that develop fine motor skills. Encouraging him to push toy cars or trucks around is a fun way to give him some fine motor practice.

Play dough is a great way for your child to develop strength and control in her hands, fingers and wrists. He will certainly give his fine motor muscles a workout as he pounds, pinches and pokes the dough.

Aim for the Bowl is a simple, fun activity that will keep your toddler surprisingly entertained while giving him some fine motor practice! You might use this activity to keep your little one occupied while you are busy preparing dinner.

You might be interested in letting your toddler start drawing. Children learn best through modeling, so in this activity, you will tell your toddler a story while you illustrate.

Your child at this stage of beginning writing may be able to grasp a crayon with her thumb and finger. To promote grasping and using the small muscles of the fingers, you and your child can make your own jewelry.

Activities that help your child build and create will help her to become ready to engage in skills such as drawing, writing and cutting. Playing with puzzles increases eye-hand coordination and visual discrimination, and strengthens finger muscles.