What To Do When Your Toddler Is Not Interested In Activities

Meera Raval MA, CCC-SLP
Aug 20
1 min read

Updated: Aug 23

You had a PLAN.

You picked the activity.

You got everything ready.

And your toddler?

Had absolutely no interest in your plan. 😂

I’ve been there.

🛁 I planned bath time. My older toddler decided splashing his younger brother was much more fun. He did not like it when I splashed him back! 😂

💦 I set up the water table. My older toddler took off his shirt, put it in the water, wrung it out, and tried to convince his little brother to wear it.

🌳 I planned sidewalk chalk. My older toddler tried to eat the chalk.

🏠 I tried to load the dishwasher. My younger toddler climbed into the bottom rack.

🧸 I got Play-Doh out. My younger toddler tried to eat it.

So much for my plans. 🤣

But here’s the thing:

Your toddler doesn’t have to follow your plan for language-building opportunities to happen.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is follow your toddler’s lead, join in what they’re interested in, and enjoy the moment together.

You don’t need a perfect activity.

You don’t need a perfectly cooperative toddler.

You just need connection, interaction, and communication. 💜

That’s one of the ideas behind Everyday Language Adventures™—helping parents find simple ways to support language during the everyday moments they’re already sharing with their toddlers.