Toddlers (18–36 Months): Learning Through Curiosity & Play

At Little Scholars Learning Center, we believe that the toddler years—roughly ages 18 to 36 months—are a pivotal window for growth, discovery, and foundational learning. At this stage, children are driven by curiosity; they explore the world, test limits, and learn most naturally through play. In this article, we explore how toddlers learn, why play is so essential, and how parents and educators can support that learning in meaningful ways.

Why Curiosity & Play Matter at 18–36 Months

Brain Development & the Role of Play

• By age three, around 80 % of brain architecture is formed, so what toddlers do—and how they explore—has long-term impact.

• Neuroscience shows that play literally changes neural pathways: when children engage in playful, hands-on learning, they strengthen brain circuits linked to cognition, self-regulation, and executive function.

• Play supports social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development simultaneously.

  
  

The Science Behind Learning Through Play

• Playful learning is most effective when experiences are joyful, meaningful, actively engaging, iterative, and socially interactive.

• A “guided play” approach—where adults gently scaffold or pose open questions while letting children lead—often yields stronger learning than strict direct instruction, especially in early math or logic concepts.

• Free play (child-driven) is also essential, fostering initiative, independence, imaginative play, and intrinsic motivation.

  
  

Typical Milestones & Learning Patterns (18–36 months)

During this stage, toddlers increasingly:

• Use parallel play: playing alongside other children, not yet fully interacting but observing and learning.

• Shift into symbolic / pretend play: using objects to represent something else (e.g. a block as a car), narrating imaginary stories.

• Experiment with basic problem solving: stacking blocks, nesting cups, matching shapes.

• Expand vocabulary rapidly; engage in two- to three-word phrases, name objects, ask “what’s this?”

• Test boundaries and explore autonomy (e.g. “No!” phase), as part of learning self-control

• Show curiosity through asking questions, pointing, touching, exploring textures, and trial-and-error

  
  

Understanding these patterns helps caregivers recognize opportunities to scaffold learning.

How to Support Learning Through Curiosity & Play

Below are strategies and concrete ideas you can share or implement at home or in a learning center environment.

1. Design a Rich, Open-Ended Environment

• Provide open-ended materials: blocks, play dough, loose parts, boxes, art supplies, natural objects (leaves, stones).

• Rotate materials periodically to renew interest.

• Create “discovery zones” (e.g. sensory bins, water play, sand table, kitchen play area).

• Ensure space for gross motor play (climbing, running, pushing carts, balls).

  
  

2. Follow the Child’s Lead & Observe

• Watch what the toddler is naturally drawn to; join in without taking over.

• Ask open-ended prompts: “I wonder what will happen if…?” or “What do you think?”

• Use scaffolding: if a child struggles, offer a hint or model part of the activity rather than doing it for them.

  
  

3. Engage Through Language & Narration

• Narrate what the child is doing: “You’re stacking the blue block on top of the red one!”

• Ask simple questions: “Which one will roll faster?” “How many do you have now?”

• Introduce new vocabulary in context (e.g. “balance,” “heavy,” “taller,” “balance”).

• Encourage storytelling or pretend play with props (doll, toy animals, hats).

  
  

4. Blend Guided & Free Play

• Design mini “challenges” (e.g. “Can you build a tower as tall as this?”) that motivate exploration with a goal in mind.

• Let child lead, intervening subtly with probing questions to deepen thinking.

• Alternate between free, unstructured play and short guided sessions.

  
  

5. Encourage Social Play & Interaction

• Provide opportunities for co-play with peers, siblings, or adults.

• Use parallel play to scaffold interaction: caregivers or older children can model sharing or joint play.

• Role play and pretend scenarios ("grocery store," "doctor") let toddlers negotiate roles, practice empathy, communication, cooperation.

  
  

6. Accept Mistakes & Frustration as Learning

• Support persistence: when a block tower falls, ask “What might happen next?”

• Help toddlers articulate emotions: “I see you’re frustrated. Do you want to try another way?”

• Celebrate small successes and risks: “You tried! That was brave!”

  
  

Sample Play Activities for 18–36-Month Toddlers

Activity	Learning Focus	Tips
Block stacking / tower building	Spatial reasoning, trial & error, fine motor	Start with big blocks, gradually introduce smaller ones
Sensory bins (rice, beans, water) with scoops	Texture exploration, hand-eye coordination, vocabulary	Add small cups, spoons, funnels
Pretend play (kitchen set, dolls, tool bench)	Symbolic thinking, language, social roles	Observe & gently extend the play with questions
Simple puzzles & shape sorters	Problem solving, shape recognition	Offer just a few pieces to avoid overwhelm
Art & scribbling with crayons, finger paint	Creativity, fine motor control, self-expression	Use large paper, let them lead the design
Outdoor exploration (leaves, rocks, sticks)	Science, observation, gross motor skills	Take nature walks, ask “What do you notice?”
Water play (cups, pouring, measuring)	Concepts of volume, cause & effect	Use safe containers; supervise closely

Challenges & Tips for Caregivers & Educators

• Time pressure / scheduling: build in blocks of unstructured play daily.

• Too much adult control: resist the urge to direct every activity; allow child agency.

• Safety vs. freedom: prepare a safe environment while allowing choice.

• Materials overload: quality over quantity—rotate and curate.

• Observing vs. intervening: learn when to step back and when to offer scaffolding.

At Little Scholars, we train our educators to balance child-led exploration with intentional scaffolding, fostering both joy and growth.

Why It Matters for Their Future

Toddlers who are given rich play and curiosity opportunities lay the groundwork for:

• Stronger self-regulation, executive function, and attention control

• Better language, literacy, and early math skills

• Social competencies such as sharing, empathy, negotiation

• A positive attitude toward learning (intrinsic motivation)

• A more flexible, creative brain resilient to challenges

  
  

In fact, studies show that time spent playing is positively linked to later early reading and math outcomes, partly mediated by self-regulation.

Conclusion

The 18–36 month window is a magical time when toddlers’ natural curiosity and eagerness to explore makes play one of the richest ways to learn. By creating supportive environments, gently scaffolding, following the child’s lead, and embedding language and social interaction, caregivers and educators can transform ordinary moments into powerful learning experiences.

At Little Scholars Learning Center, we are committed to nurturing this period of discovery and helping each toddler blossom through play, wonder, and guided exploration.