Dr. Nahed Sabry, Johnson’s Baby Hospital Education Manager.
In the vibrant world of toddlerhood, every day brings new discoveries. As your little one grows beyond their first year, playtime becomes more than just a source of fun—it’s a crucial catalyst for development, learning, and bonding.
Research shows that toddlers spend one-fifth of their waking hours in focused gazing, building curiosity, and awareness of their surroundings[1] and this natural inclination to explore is key to their growth. Recent literature emphasizes that play is fundamentally important for developing 21st century skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.[2]
Why Play Matters:
Playtime is a toddler’s laboratory for life. Through experimentation, they develop essential physical skills—strengthening muscles, improving coordination, and mastering new movements. But the benefits go far beyond the physical. Each playful interaction helps build neurological pathways, teaching crucial concepts like cause and effect, and logical thinking.
Experts recommend at least an hour of free, supervised play daily, plus 30 minutes of adult-led structured play for optimal development.[3] The World Health Organization recommends that children aged one to five engage in three hours of daily physical activities[4].
The Power of Repetition and Routine
Repetition helps toddlers understand how things work. Whether filling and emptying boxes or requesting the same story repeatedly, this repetition provides a sense of security, allows mastery of new skills, and boosts self-confidence. Play is a powerful brain-building activity that affects molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels, promoting learning and adaptive behavior.[5]
Incorporating routines like hand washing into daily activities can also be beneficial. It not only protects toddlers from germs but also expands their development by teaching the importance of hygiene in a fun, engaging way.
Keeping Clean While Exploring
Of course, all this hands-on discovery can get messy! Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, who created the theory of child cognitive development, showed that toddlers learn through touching and direct contact in their ‘sensory-motor stage.’[6] Recognizing that toddlers use their hands to engage with everything around them, it’s important to have dermatologist-tested cleansing options available.
Choosing tear-free products developed with baby skin experts means your little explorer can freely touch, feel, and discover, while you have peace of mind about their cleanliness and safety. These mild, gentle solutions effectively remove dirt while being incredibly suitable for delicate toddler skin, safe for use all over the body.
Embracing Outdoor Adventures and Sensory Play
Sensory play is crucial for toddler development. Engaging all five senses and fine motor skills through activities like finger painting, coloring, and playing with dough promotes cognitive development.
Outdoor play offers unique learning experiences through activities like climbing, picking flowers, and playing in grass. According to Harvard Health, outdoor play is crucial for toddlers as it improves executive function—skills that include planning, prioritizing, troubleshooting, and multitasking.[7]
As your toddler grows and explores, remember the messiest moments often lead to the biggest developmental leaps. Every bit of exploration contributes to a child’s growth. Parents should embrace the mess—knowing they have pediatrician-recommended solutions for cleanup when playtime ends.
About Kenvue:
Kenvue is the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue. Built on more than a century of heritage, our iconic brands, including Nicorette®, Aveeno®, Listerine®, Neutrogena®, and Johnson’s® Baby are science-backed and recommended by healthcare professionals around the world. At Kenvue, we believe in the extraordinary power of everyday care and our teams work every day to put that power in consumers’ hands and earn a place in their hearts and homes.
