Toddlers often have a hard time following rules because they want to do things their way. An activity like a circle game that helps them work with others effectively by following rules works well for cognitive development. Place tape on the floor to create a large circle. Use masking, duct or painter's tape. Ask children to stand on the circle. First, have the children work on only standing on the tape. When they understand this, they can start walking around the tape in a circle. Some younger toddlers might need to hold someone's hand to help them stay on the circle. Keep encouraging the children to stay on the circle.
Once the toddlers can stay on the circle, allow them to take turns leading the circle around in movements. Perhaps the leader can crawl while his classmates follow him, also crawling. Again, some toddlers will need assistance staying on the line. When one toddler leads with his movement once around the circle, another child can take a turn to lead the others. After they are able to follow rules and take turns on the line, allow them to move their line to other places. For instance, an older toddler could lead his classmates to other areas of the room.
Constructive play improves cognitive development because symbols start to represent ideas and children are able to create scenarios. Provide materials for children to create an area, such as a house or school. Give them blocks and other building materials. Younger toddlers might have a hard time seeing how the objects can become something besides the objects themselves, but keep working with them and showing them how blocks can turn into buildings.
Functional play improves cognitive development because students are learning to repeat new movements. This play teaches them cultural norms, rhythm, counting and hand-eye coordination. Some examples include childhood songs, such as the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and hand games, such as Patty Cake. The repetition in these games allows children to learn to predict what will happen next in a situation and act on it.