Through play, toddlers can learn skills that will serve them throughout their lives. They learn how to play alone, with other children their age, children that are on different skill levels, and with adults. There are different types of play that they engage in throughout the day. Constructive play is the type of play that is directed at a goal, uses the imagination, or involves other people.

As you raise a toddler, it is important to make sure that they are given the opportunity to engage in constructive play every day. Children that watch too much television are disconnected from the real world, and can be socially and developmentally stunted. Witnessing play and interaction is much different from experiencing it firsthand. Adults need to make sure that children are constantly directed out of detrimental states of mind and into constructive activities.

Constructive play gives children an interest in making parents proud. It gives them an underlying sense of hope and a positive outlook on the world. Constructive activities make it possible for them to feel loved and develop a positive self-image. Without constructive play, toddlers will be lacking the life skills that they need to be happy, productive adults that are capable of solving problems and managing emotions.

Coming up with constructive ideas to keep a toddler busy is not always easy, but with a little effort, you may find that it's not that hard. To a child, everything is exciting and new.

Try these tips to encourage constructive play: 

1. Playing with things that aren't necessarily considered toys helps to develop imagination.
2. Talk to your toddler as much as you can.
3. Ask them questions about what they think you could do with certain objects.
4. Do not discount their ideas. Commend them for coming up with ways to solve problems or new ways of using things.

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