Your baby is now a toddler and eager to discover. Because baby is learning to walk, this is an ideal period to begin to encourage more exploration. Developmental psychologist Jerome L. Singer explains, "Children will naturally develop the skill to walk, but by putting it in the framework of a game, the child will be encouraged and motivated to continue to try to do it, and to do it better and better."

You can begin this new period of exploration by taking your youngster for walks outdoors. Get your child familiar with the sights, sounds and feel of nature. This is also a time to start encouraging imaginative play, through make-believe toys and storytelling.

Suggested Activities:

• Walking Outdoors
• Ball-Rolling Games
• Dancing
• Encourage Baby to Name Objects
• Recite Nursery Rhymes

Suggested Toys:

• Beanbags
• Simple Puzzles
• Crayons and Paper
• Buckets and Shovels
• Stuffed Animals
• Toy Vehicles
• Toy Telephone