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Tips for Parents of Toddlers
Your baby is not exactly a baby anymore! He/she is learning to be
more independent each day. You're more excited and nervous than ever before. Where did the time go,
and how are you going to keep up with your busy toddler?
© 2005 Laura Sateriale, Laura@WavGirl.Com.
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Exploration |
Crawling: One minute, your baby is army-crawling. The next minute, you find her
on the opposite end of the room. This is the beginning of mobility for your child, and it's going to change both
of your lives. Encourage her by placing toys in front of her so she will crawl to get them, then show excitement
when she does. Positive reinforcement is key right now, since this is one of your child's first efforts towards
independence. A walker is a great way to gain balance and leg strength, but use it in moderation. It will discourage
her from trying to learn to walk, since she can already get everywhere she needs to go (and, by a certain age, she
will be able to tip it over).
Cruising: Congratulations! Your child is taking the next step towards walking. Once you
see her grabbing onto surfaces and lifting to a standing position, things will start moving along quickly. It's time
for you to start examining the areas she explores. Rearrange objects so that they are a bit closer together, and if possible,
move glass furniture (such as a coffee table) to another room. This will give her the confidence to explore. She'll also
learn to balance herself without support when she moves from one object to another.
Walking: You may have begun to think it would never happen, but she has begun to walk! Now, more
than ever, it's important to child-proof everything in sight. Don't feel guilty about using gates, but
mix things up a bit and give her a chance for some supervised exploration. Your sore back will feel a bit better as she
begins to prefer walking over you carrying her. This separation might make you a bit emotional, but keep in mind that
this is a great development for her - both physically and developmentally. Until your child listens to commands such as
"come back here" or "this way", it's a good idea to keep using a stroller in public places. Once you break the habit of
using the stroller, her willingness to sit still in it for periods of time will dissipate.
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Safety Measures |
Baby-Proofing: You've been hearing about it since you were pregnant, and now it's time to take
your dusty child-proofing kit out of the closet. Keep in mind that while all of these items will help protect your child
from harm, they aren't fool-proof. For example, electrical outlet covers can be easily removed once a child reaches a certain
age, so always keep an eye on her when she is near one. Start putting up gates early, so that she's used to them.
If you try to use them later on, and she is blocked from areas she was able to reach before, there will be plenty of
temper tantrums!
Alarming Hazards: Examine all furniture and objects in your home closely, if they are in your child's reach.
Something as simple as a set of drawers can cause minor injuries, once she learns to open and close them. However, don't be
too restricting. Leave one empty cabinet or shelf unlocked, so she can satisfy her curiosity. Place plastic bowls, wooden spoons,
and other items of interest inside.
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Food Transitions |
No More Formula: Once she turns one year old, your child is ready to transition from formula to other
foods and beverages. Don't be too concerned with getting her to take a cup in the beginning. After all, this is a big change for her.
Start adding milk to her bottles (if she has no allergies). Gradually increase the amount of milk and decrease the amount of formula.
This is also a great transition for you - no more expensive cans of formula! Make sure she is trying other beverages as well. It's
important that she drinks plenty of water, as this is the best option to keep her hydrated. If you want to give her juice, use only a
small amount (a few ounces) and mix it with water. Too much juice is harsh on her stomach, has a lot of calories, and can do
damage to her teeth.
Solids: You've been feeding her baby food for a while, and now it's time to move on. What if she isn't receptive to solids?
Some children are reluctant to eat anything chunky, chewy, or thick-textured. This becomes a problem after a while - You're tired of spoon-feeding,
and she's not getting enough calories and nutrition from all that baby food. Stage 3 baby food sounds like a great option, but many children
won't take to it well because of the bland flavor. Try feeding her yogurt. It's thicker than baby food and has a higher nutritional value.
Yogurt with fruit will help her get used to the idea of chunks and texture in her food. However, don't provide an excessive amount - That can
lead to diarrhea, and subsequently, dehydration.
Self-Feeding: She's picking up everything around her, grasping small items between her thumb and index finger.
That's one of the signs your child is ready for finger foods. Start with the most obvious - Cheerios. They dissolve easily and are easy
to pick up, but are solid enough to help her learn how to chew. Crackers are a great option to help her learn, but don't rely on them
as a primary source of nutrition (they're basically just empty calories). Once she's used to feeding herself and chewing, she has
reached a major accomplishment! Ask your pediatrician for a list of age-appropriate foods. It will help you figure out what to introduce
and at what age.
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Playtime |
Buying the Right Toys: Don't stock up on too many toys that are for children up to 18 months. She will outgrow
them quickly! With any purchase, pay close attention to the age recommendation. While it probably isn't dangerous to present a
12-month-old with a toy designed for an 18-month-old, the age recommendation is there for a reason. It helps you not only find toys
that are safe, but is a great way to narrow down what toys will interest her and aid her development. The right toy can help develop
motor skills. It's never too early to think about helping her imagination grow, so "make believe" toys are a great choice.
Keep in mind that not everything your child plays with has to be of rich educational value. She's constantly learning, but having fun
is important too!
Social Interaction: By about fourteen months, your child will start to express more interest in interacting
with other children. She's self-aware, but also becoming aware that there are others around her. Encourage her to notice and play with
other children, and try not to limit her interaction to small circles. It will be a while before she understands concepts like
sharing, but with time she will learn. Playtime with others is key to her social development, so try to get involved with play groups.
It's a great way to give yourself a break and talk to other parents who can relate to your concerns and interests, too!
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