Reading with your toddler – our tips to make it fun for you both
Sharing stories with your toddler can build a love of reading, start a conversation or simply be a good way to relax together. But sometimes your toddler might be eager to turn pages, so you find yourself trying to read as much of the story as you can before the next page turn, or they might listen briefly then notice a squirrel outside and you’ve lost them! We have a few tips that could keep story time relaxing for you both.
NO, that's not what I meant! How to navigate your toddler's changing understanding of 'no'
When your toddler first started using the word no, the meaning was probably clear: “I don’t want that,” or maybe “I don’t want to do that.” Now they are starting to use 'no’ with another word – and this is where you might need to take a moment to work out what they mean.
Your toddler might say, “No cup!”
Is it really that hard to put on and take off shoes?
Ever since your toddler first started wearing shoes, it may have seemed like they were on a mission to get them off their feet! But now that they are becoming more capable of planned, controlled movements, your toddler will be less likely to randomly kick their shoes off, and start to take care and time over the process of putting them on and taking them off.
At this stage, we are only expecting your toddler to slip their feet into and out of certain types of shoe. Wellington boots, slippers and wide shoes are best for them to practise with. Footwear with laces – especially boots – are best kept for when their fine motor skills have developed a bit further, but shoes with zips, Velcro® or wide openings will help prepare them for these future types of footwear.
How being energetic and active is great for fine motor development
Toddlers are full of energy, curiosity and intrigue. It feels like they are never still, always moving on to something new. The wonderful thing about this is being busy and active is great for their development! Here we look at some of the benefits movement has on their ever-enhancing fine motor skills.
Being active stimulates their vestibular sense (balance)
Calm Down, Boris by Sam Lloyd
What a wonderful book! Boris is a lovable, cheeky monster who adores giving people a kiss. You can stick your hand into the Boris puppet and bring him to life; your toddler will probably love doing this too!
Being a puppet, Boris' mouth can be opened and closed in the same way that scissors can be opened and closed. This means that even without practising scissor skills, your toddler will be doing the action required for this skill.
A story for when your toddler (or you) needs a hug – The perfect hug by Joanne Walsh and Judy Abbott
Sometimes, at the end of a long day, or when life is feeling a bit hard, all your toddler might need is a hug. Panda is looking for the perfect hug – what will it be?
This could be a great story for when it’s time to calm down; your toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures, and maybe even trying out a tickly hug.
What is your toddler learning when they pretend with you?
When your child begins to pretend not only does this give you new things to do when you play together, it also provides fantastic opportunities for their development. Your toddler won’t be imagining fire-breathing dragons or superheroes yet, but they are beginning to recreate familiar situations. So, why is this beneficial?
Beyond the headline – things to think about when you see reports about research
It can be hard to pick your way through the information you see in the media and online. Research findings are often simplified and can take you from thinking you knew exactly what you were doing to a feeling of knowing nothing at all! Our articles are one way to get a balanced view but even with the app at your fingertips, it can be helpful to have some pointers for spotting what the headlines don’t tell you.
Why do things we think are fact seem to change?
Stairs can be hard work – and not just for your toddler
It can be quite tiring for your toddler to learn how to come down the stairs; and it might be exhausting for you while you help them! As your toddler concentrates on holding their body weight on one leg at a time to descend the stairs, you might find yourself running up them to help. No matter how fit you are, and how few stairs there are, this could leave you a little out of breath – why is this?
Unconscious breathing – we don’t think about our breathing most of the time
All caught up – skills needed to catch a ball
Catching a ball is a great skill for your toddler to learn as it’s used in many different games and sports. There are numerous times when catching comes into daily life too; think about when someone throws a chocolate to you, or maybe some keys. It is one of those things that will come into play at spontaneous times. But did you know that catching involves a wide range of skills?
Before they can catch a ball, your toddler needs to know what's coming!
