Not every activity designed for toddlers will be right for your child. This is true for the activities in this book as well. You may find activities that are appropriate now and then come back later, as your child develops, to find other activities that are worthwhile. How do you choose appropriate activities for your child?

Start with your child's interests and follow her lead. If she seems to enjoy spending time watching ants on the back porch, you may want to consider planning some activities about insect lore. If your child is afraid of clowns, you would avoid going to the circus. You can also let your child's interest dictate how long an activity lasts and when to repeat it.

Use your personal knowledge of your child's unique abilities to determine if an activity is appropriate for your child. If an activity is too complex, she may become frustrated. On the other hand, activities that are too simple may bore her.

Although you want to choose activities that reflect your child's skill level, you don't have to worry about always keeping things easy. On occasion, go ahead and try an activity that poses some sort of challenge for your child. This doesn't mean something so difficult that she becomes confused or frustrated. Just keep an eye out for activities that allow your child to try something new, with your encouragement and guidance.