Which of the following is an appropriate activity for children aged 18 to 24 months?

Engaging children aged 18 to 24 months in dress-up and pretend play is particularly beneficial for their developmental stage. At this age, children are beginning to develop their imagination and creativity, and pretend play allows them to explore different roles and scenarios. This type of play not only fosters cognitive development but also promotes social skills as children learn to interact with their peers, express emotions, and understand social cues.

Pretend play also enhances language development as children describe their play, use new vocabulary, and communicate with others. It supports motor skills through actions like dressing up and manipulating props, as well as helping them to practice everyday tasks in a safe, engaging environment. Thus, dress-up and pretend play is a highly appropriate and effective activity for toddlers in this age range, promoting a variety of essential developmental skills.

In contrast, engaging with puzzles that contain more than 10 pieces can be overly complex for this age group, often leading to frustration rather than a sense of accomplishment. Long chapter books may not hold the attention of toddlers who typically benefit from shorter, engaging stories with vivid pictures. Building complex structures requires advanced motor and cognitive skills that children at this stage are still developing, as they are more adept at manipulating larger blocks or simple construction sets.