Children, especially toddlers, learn primarily through play. Their ability to speak, walk and make sense of their world lies heavily on the experiences they're exposed to, the level of social interaction they have and the quality of the toys they play with. This is why we've compiled a list of 5 activities to do with your toddler, that will help them develop as well as have fun.

1. Nursery rhymes and making music

Clinical studies have shown that children who are exposed to music, singing and rhythm from an early age are more likely to start talking at an earlier age too. Try and have an hour or two once a week when you sit down with your child, sing nursery rhymes together and play with homemade musical instruments (for example an empty toilet paper roll with dried lentils inside, taped at each end to make a maraca). You could dance and try to bang a drum along to a beat; anything that gets your child involved in what they're hearing.

2. Baby oil and water bottle

This is a simple toy that requires little interaction from you. Wash out an empty soda bottle, fill it one half with clear baby oil and add some sequins, beads, small toys, jewels and even food coloring (basically anything that won't go soggy in water) and then top it up with tap water. Then put glue inside the cap and screw it onto the bottle. Leave it to dry for around 8 hours so you know it's stuck fast and then simply give it to your baby to play with. They'll be fascinated at how the beads move slowly through the oil, but fast through the water and how shaking it makes it go all bubbly.

3. Wet and dry food play

Toddlers put anything and everything in their mouths so it makes sense that when you expose them to gooey and sticky things, they are edible. Cornflour and water makes a wonderful substance that is hard when played with but liquid when left alone. Other things you might want to use are raw macaroni (only this type of pasta raw, though as it is the only one a child can breathe through if they get it caught in their windpipe), jelly, ice cubes and porridge oats.

4. Gardening

Kids love mud and creepy crawlies but toddlers are more inquisitive and won't simply want to get as messy as possible. Ask them to help you plant some seeds, rake the soil and pick berries or fruits that may have grown. Buy them their own watering can and pair of wellington boots to make them feel like a professional green fingers.

5. Caring for people and animals

Toddlers love their new found ability to carry things for you and do the things that you do for them, so why not let them? If you're changing their baby sibling's nappy then ask them to do up their poppers or pull up their socks. If you're going to visit grandma then take your child around the garden first to pick a bunch of flowers and tie it with a ribbon as a gift. This kind of activity gives your child that all important sense of putting themselves in someone else's shoes, that can help build compassion and social skills later on.

Stan Tian

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