Cognitive development and thinking skills: what games can I play with my 18 month old?

Playing Hide and Seek games with your child will help her cognitive development and thinking skills. 

In this game of Hide and Seek, your toddler will search for buried treasure. 

Select a treasure for your child to search for. Make the treasure something that is a special like a treat or a small toy. After all, it’s a lot of work finding hidden treasure!

Place a red ribbon on the treasure (or something that will attract your child’s attention and let them know that it is the treasure).

Now, hide the treasure somewhere that will not be too difficult for your child to find. You never want to put the treasure in a place that would cause your child to climb on something or try to crawl under something.  Its best if the treasure is in plain sight.

Bring your toddler in and tell her a story of a hidden treasure with the red bow on top. You can be the pirate who has hidden the treasure and you are asking her to help you search for it.

Give her clues when she is getting closer to the treasure.
When she finds the treasure, praise her for her achievement. She will be delighted and proud of herself to have found this special treat.