My First 8 Years
  • Home
  • Find Local Child Care
    • Child Care Resource Guide
    • Child Care, Preschool and Home Care
  • Community Blog
  • Children's Community Calendar's
  • Kindergarten Readiness
  • Articles
    • Pregnancy
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • K-3rd Graders
  • News
  • Community Resources
  • Quick Links
  • Videos
  • Children's Community Calendar
  • Valley Early Childhood Regional Council

Toddlers (2-3 years of age)

2/20/2014

0 Comments

 
Developmental Milestones

Skills such as taking turns, playing make believe, and kicking a ball, are called developmental milestones. Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (like jumping, running, or balancing).

Because of children’s growing desire to be independent, this stage is often called the "terrible twos." However, this can be an exciting time for parents and toddlers. Toddlers will experience huge thinking, learning, social, and emotional changes that will help them to explore their new world, and make sense of it. During this stage, toddlers should be able to follow two- or three-step directions, sort objects by shape and color, imitate the actions of adults and playmates, and express a wide range of emotions.

Positive Parenting Tips

Following are some of the things you, as a parent, can do to help your toddler during this time:
  • Set up a special time to read books with your toddler.
  • Encourage your child to take part in pretend play.
  • Play parade or follow the leader with your toddler.
  • Help your child to explore things around her by taking her on a walk or wagon ride.
  • Encourage your child to tell you his name and age.
  • Teach your child simple songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, or other cultural childhood rhymes.
  • Give your child attention and praise when she follows instructions and shows positive behavior and limit attention for defiant behavior like tantrums. Teach your child acceptable ways to show that she’s upset.


Child Safety First

Because your child is moving around more, he will come across more dangers as well. Dangerous situations can happen quickly, so keep a close eye on your child. Here are a few tips to help keep your growing toddler safe:

  • Do NOT leave your toddler near or around water (for example, bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, whirlpools, or the ocean) without someone watching her. Fence off backyard pools. Drowning is the leading cause of injury and death among this age group.
  • Encourage your toddler to sit when eating and to chew his food thoroughly to prevent choking.
  • Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
  • Encourage your toddler not to put pencils or crayons in her mouth when coloring or drawing.
  • Do NOT hold hot drinks while your child is sitting on your lap. Sudden movements can cause a spill and might result in your child’s being burned.
  • Make sure that your child sits in the back seat and is buckled up properly in a car seat with a harness.

To read more from this article please click on the link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/toddlers2.html
0 Comments

8 Surprising Reasons Your Baby's Crying

2/9/2014

0 Comments

 
Your baby's been fed, her diaper is dry, and she seems well rested. So what's with the sudden whimpering? Although her insta-tears may seem baffling, keep in mind that babies always cry for a reason. To help you figure out her crankiness, we've compiled the top things your child may be trying to tell you, along with strategies for bringing back her smile.By Suzanne Schlosberg from Parents Magazine

"Would you please take off this sweater?"

Just because the air is a tad brisk outside doesn't mean your baby needs to be dressed for dogsledding in Siberia. Parents tend to overdress infants, who get cranky when they're hot and sweaty -- just like adults do.

The fix: Dress your baby in the same number of layers as you're wearing. If you're not sure whether she's too hot or too cold, put your hand on her tummy or back to gauge her body temperature. "A baby's feet or cheeks can often seem cool even when she's comfortable," says Charlotte Cowan, MD, a pediatrician in Boston..

"Can't we all just get along?"Babies don't understand sentences such as, "I can't believe you forgot to pay the Visa bill," or "Why can't you ever take out the trash without being reminded?" But they can sense when Mom and Dad are fighting -- and they don't like it. "If there's tension or yelling, a baby can pick up on that and may become fussy," says Ellen Schumann, MD, a pediatrician at the Marshfield Clinic, in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

The fix: Occasional arguments with your husband will happen (especially given the intense demands of caring for a new baby). But try to express your feelings calmly so that you create a consistent, soothing environment. Save the heated discussions for after your child goes to bed.


"I'm totally stressed out!"

Too much noise, movement, or bright light -- at the mall, a crowded coffee shop, or a family party -- can drive a baby to tears. And after a point, too much stimulation of any kind -- even being left in a doorway jumper for 20 minutes or surrounded by too many toys -- can overwhelm her.

The fix: Every child has a different breaking point, so pay close attention to how your baby handles commotion. Keep visits to busy stores short, eat at restaurants in the off-hours (when they're quieter), and introduce new toys -- even noise-free ones -- in small doses. Also schedule some quiet time after an outing so your revved-up child can settle down.


"My tummy hurts!"

There's no shortage of reasons why your baby might have stomach discomfort. He could have a painful buildup of gas. He might be constipated. Formula-fed babies can develop a milk sensitivity or a milk allergy, both of which can cause cramps along with mucous poop. Or your child could have reflux, in which food contents from the stomach splash back into the esophagus.

The fix: First try burping your baby more often. You can also reduce gas by massaging his tummy gently or pedaling his legs. If you're nursing, try using one breast for the entire feed instead of switching. The milk that comes out first is higher in lactose than the "hind milk" that follows. For bottle-fed babies, switch to a low-flow nipple so your child swallows less air when he drinks. If that doesn't help, take a poopy diaper to your pediatrician and ask whether you should try a hypoallergenic or soy-based formula. Don't panic if your baby spits up on occasion, but speak to your doctor if the symptoms become chronic or your child seems in distress. You may need to position him upright after meals, thicken his milk with rice cereal, or, if he has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), give him acid-reducing medication.


"Ouch, I'm being pinched!"

Your baby could have a hair or a loose thread wrapped around her toe or finger, cutting off the circulation and causing pain and swelling. It's more common than many parents realize, and you've got to catch it early or your child might have permanent tissue damage. Other possibilities: Your baby's skin is irritated by a label or a zipper, or the car-seat belt or stroller straps are chafing her.

The fix: Undress your baby, and inspect her toes and fingers. If you find a hair, try unwrapping it, cutting it with little scissors, or using a small amount of a hair-removing product such as Nair. "If you have a boy, keep in mind that a hair can even get wrapped around the penis," says Dr. Schumann. Also check zippers and adjust any too-tight straps.


"I'm feeling lonely over here."

Between 6 and 9 months, your baby will learn that he's a separate being from you, which is good. But he may start to cry as soon as you leave the room because he misses you. Which is good -- and bad.

The fix: It's fine to leave your baby in an activity center so you can change a load of laundry. But if you notice this momentary separation is triggering a meltdown, stop what you're doing and show him a little love. "Sometimes just seeing you or being cuddled will stop the tears," says Dr. Cowan. A gentle massage or some light pats on the back will also help reassure him that when you go away, you'll always come back. If you've tried every trick in the book-- the swing, music, his favorite stuffed animal -- it may be easier to simply take your baby with you to the laundry room. Comfort yourself with this thought: He'll outgrow his separation anxiety by around 15 months.

0 Comments

    Author

    The Early Childhood Councils of Ansonia & Derby.

    Archives

    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.