Looking and finding

Looking for objects appeals to a curious toddler who enjoys finding and exploring independently.

Why do it?

The ‘seeking’ component adds interest to the child’s everyday toys or objects.
Looking and finding provides opportunities for toddlers’ language development, such as:
- using ‘parallel’ talk — parents describe what their toddler is doing
- adding vocabulary through parents naming and describing objects their toddler has found
- encouraging learning of a second language by parents using it to describe and name objects.

Gather a range of containers like cardboard boxes, a washing basket, an old handbag, a shoebox and a bucket, and fill each with an assortment of safe objects.
Give one of the containers to your child and let them discover and explore the items inside.
Describe what they’ve found and talk with them about the different objects.
Objects could be grouped (for example, just soft toys or clothing items) or be a random mixture of safe household objects.
You could also include another smaller container with contents — for example, a sock filled with clothes pegs.
Save a variety of empty boxes and fit them inside each other. Or, put an object inside each box — your child can explore them one-by-one.
If you don’t have any suitable boxes or containers, try filling a pillowcase, or cover a selection of objects with a towel and let them discover ‘what’s underneath?’