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Teach Your Child About the World by Letting Him Paint with Water and Play with Sand

Last Updated: September 14, 2009

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Parenting Tips for Your 19-20 Month Old Toddler

Let your child play in sand, dirt, and mud, even if he gets dirty. A pile of sand or dirt in the corner of the yard will be great. Keep the sand covered when it’s not in use to keep out cats and dogs.

Let your child play with water. Bathing, filling containers, and washing dishes are great fun.

Give him a bucket or can filled with clear water and an old paintbrush. Let him paint the sidewalk, the house, and everything he can reach.

Put a small dishpan of water on the kitchen floor or outdoors. Add a funnel, sponge, measuring spoons and cups, a washcloth, and a plastic squeeze bottle. He’ll enjoy pouring, washing and squirting.


Don’t leave him alone with water; he can drown in less than 2 inches of water.


All this is teaching your toddler about the world he lives in and it’s lots of fun.


Learn more about Your Toddler: 19-20 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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