A little bump here and there – helps your toddler judge space, anywhere

What you need 

• A buggy, a wheeled toy or a balance bike 

What to do 

1. Invite your toddler to push their chosen toy, or ride their balance bike (this can be done indoors or outside, depending on how much space you have).  
2. Encourage them to move into different rooms or spaces. 
3. Watch to see how they navigate around their space, are they looking out for obstacles? 
4. Don’t worry if they have a few bumps, or use walls to stop as they navigate around. Encourage them to turn the toy (or bike) and keep going for as long as they’re having fun. 
5. If your toddler needs extra encouragement, you could turn it into a treasure hunt, searching for a specific toy or other item. 

Good to know 

They may knock into obstacles along the way, but each bump will help the development of body awareness. When your toddler has a better sense of space, it will be easier for them to adjust their movements and avoid obstacles.