Sing about emotions – great fun for developing an understanding of feelings
Invite your toddler to join your conversations – they'll learn so much from seeing you chat and laugh
Preparation is key – it builds confidence in me
Sharing achievements – pick up the phone and spread the news!
- When your toddler is proud of something they’ve done take a moment to call, or video call, a family member or friend to let them know.
- Remember that achievement can simply be something that contributed to the solution of a problem, or part of a process – it doesn’t have to be an end product.
- Talk about what it is your toddler has done, and why they are proud. They are learning about the things that are important to them and other people, so bringing focus to positives will help them celebrate their pride in themselves.
Good to know
Watching me, watching you – it’s how we learn
Re-create the play your toddler has seen – how to copy play in a safe environment
Share a story about sharing!
What you need
- A story involving taking turns or sharing
What to try
- There are lots of stories available that talk about the topic of ownership.
- A wonderful book for younger listeners is, It’s Mine!
- In this story, three frogs bicker all day long because they each want their own space.
- It focuses on sharing and cooperation and might feel very relevant to what’s happening in your family's life!
Good to know
Your toddler might not fully understand what is happening in this story, but it can still be a great way to share the language of ownership and taking turns.
Your toddler will need you to show them how to deal with ownership and disagreements in real life situations.
Bedtime battles? Keep your cool and help them to understand that boundaries need to remain in place
Be prepared for handwashing – things to think about at home
- You might need to find your toddler a small step to stand on while they wash their hands. Many sinks are too high for them.
- Be prepared for a sodden toddler, sink area and floor!
- Have extra towels at hand.
- Your toddler will probably explore sticking their hands over the end of the tap.
- Be prepared to change your toddler’s clothes.
- If possible, have a choice of soaps available; exploring the scent, colour and texture of the soap can make handwashing more exciting.
- Try to be patient with them; practice makes perfect and your toddler is in the practice stage right now!
Come on, let’s spin again together