Toddlerhood: The Load and Tote Phase
I have a friend who has worked for years in preschools and early childhood centers. She jokes that toddlerhood is the “Load and Tote” phase of childhood. Just give your toddler something to carry things in and something to carry, and they’re good to go.
Load-up! Tote! Dump-out! Repeat! Have group of toddlers? Maybe they can do this in a circuit. I’m only half joking on that one…
In my post about 10 Fun Chores for Toddlers, I mentioned carrying things, here’s why:
Toting around a basket of blocks is not only entertaining for your tot, it is actually helping them gain body awareness. This kind of “heavy work” sends messages through the nervous system that help the brain learn where the body is in space.
Carrying, dragging or pushing around a heavy load can be calming for your toddler because their sensory system is craving this kind of input over and over to help them understand how to navigate in the world. This kind of activity sends the message, “Here you are. Here is where you end and the world begins.”
Also, since the fact that objects can be out of view and not be totally GONE is still a relatively new concept for them, stashing and then dumping out items is a fascinating exercise in cause and effect.
Toddler Load and Tote Ideas:
- Pick up books and load them into a laundry basket. Push it along the floor.
- Carry dolls, blocks or cars in a bag, basket or box.
- One of the most popular toys from our kids’ toddlerhood was a play stroller to push their animals around in. We got one when my first son was born and he and both his brother and sister after him loved it during this phase.
- Let the toddler carry in a grocery bag or your purse.
- Have your toddler drag or carry his toy bin out instead of doing it for him.
- Be on the look out for an opportunity to have your toddler carry something (anything!) from one place to another. They don’t need much motivation, “Hey! Can you bring these rocks over to that tree? I think that tree needs some rocks next to it! Here lets put them in a bucket…”
The benefit for you as the parent here? You get to watch and admire the total cuteness as your toddler works at something that is both entertaining and good for their development. One of secrets to playing with toddlers is knowing what toddlers like to do. And toddlers definitely like to carry things!
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My older one (now 6) lightly & shortly went through this phase. My 2nd one, now 2 does it soooo… much more. She will find any empty bag and try to put stuff in it, or she will find a bag we have organized with a specific type of toy and stuff it with some random objects, space permitting. It can get quite overwhelming at times as nothing ever stays organized. My older one gets frustrated at times cause my younger one will take pieces from a board game and stuff it somewhere, and no one will know where it is until a month later ?????
My eldest one is almost 6 years old, but still loves to carry stuff around….especially when she pretends to go on a holiday….you should see her (and siblings too)…she packs at least 3 different bags/backpacks and puts everything either on her back or on a little trolley….and of course the 2 younger ones follow….some days they move most of their toys around and around the house 🙂
I thought you meant diapers. She likes to load and tote that nightmare around. Ugh.
It really is one of the cutest things to see them load up the toy baby stroller or wagon and cart their goods around! Interesting explanation, re: body awareness. I’ve never heard of that before! Makes perfect sense.
My guy did this all the time! I haven’t thought about why!
This is totally true! My almost-2-year-old LOVES to do this. I saved a big oatmeal package and he puts stuff in there, carries it to the next room, dumps it out and repeats. This could go on for awhile. He also likes bags with handles to put on his shoulder and drag around. It’s the cutest thing.
My daughter loves to load and unload bags as well and push furniture around the house :o)
What a wonderful post! My son also loves carrying things around. He is forever putting a bag on his arm and saying bye-bye! He also loves pushing around the laundry basket and helping me empty it. Thanks so much for sharing the learning benefits!
My toddler loves to carry things around but I had never heard the explanation about learning body awareness before, it makes sense now I will encourage her to carry/push more things around. Thanks for sharing.