Ok today but not tomorrow? Why it’s best to be consistent with your toddler’s behaviour
Sometimes our toddlers do something that maybe they shouldn’t – but is really funny or cute. And our reaction to these moments can lead to behaviour we would prefer wasn’t being repeated over and over again!
One of the really difficult things our toddlers are learning is that what can be ok and even encouraged in one situation, might be something they can’t do at another time or place.
Why taking turns and sharing is much harder than it seems
Do you find it almost impossible to have your turn when playing with your toddler? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone! Learning to take turns and share is not easy and uses social, emotional and cognitive skills your toddler hasn’t mastered just yet.
Things to think about that might help...
Admire your little flamingo as they stand on one leg
Your toddler might be starting to occasionally lift one leg when they are supported by either another person, or some furniture. Let's look at some of the skills your budding flamingo will learn as a result of practising this tricky new skill.
A new sense of balance
Careful climbing – helping your toddler to climb safely
What goes up, must come down… and as your toddler starts to enjoy the challenge of climbing, it can be a worrying thing for you. But giving them time and space to explore this stage of development – while in a safe environment – will help support them to develop and understand safe climbing.
Safe climbing
Viva la vestibular! Engaging your active toddler's sense of balance
Our vestibular sense is related to balance and posture. Developing this sense, which has receptors in our inner ear, helps us to maintain balance while doing everyday tasks like walking, bending and sitting without having to concentrate on it. This frees us up to concentrate on other tasks while we move around.
Your toddler needs time and lots of active movement to develop their vestibular sense.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Written by Bill Martin Jr. Illustrated by Eric Carle
This clever book entices the reader right from the first page. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” the reader asks the bear at the start. The bear then describes what it sees to the reader. As the story continues, the same question is asked of all the animals and people who star in the book.
Because it focuses on combining rhythmic and repeating phrases throughout, young children have plenty of opportunities to join in. They might not be able to resist the urge to growl like a bear or woof like a dog!
Moo Bah La La La, by Sandra Boynton
This is a fun little book that’s great for children who love animals. It brings together a lovely mix of farmyard, safari and domestic animals to explore the different sounds they make and how those snorts, barks and baas can rhyme.
The words have a delightful rhythmic pattern to them, and it’s a terrific book for getting even the youngest children involved. The sounds can be read in a variety of silly voices to make it even more entertaining.
Five books to support your toddler's move to a new bed
Are you taking the sides off your child’s cot, or perhaps they’re moving from your bed into their own? Here are five of our favourite books that will set the scene for bedtime and support your child in settling into a new routine.
A cheeky check if this is ok? Your child is social referencing!
Did you know… when your baby, toddler or child looks at you just before they leap (or try another new trick) they are using an important developmental skill known as social referencing?
Social referencing – looking at you to work out what’s ok
Growing up together – how your toddler makes friends
We might hope that our child will quickly develop friendships but playing with others can be a bit tricky when you’re a toddler. Toddlers often show that they’re developing empathy but still lack self-regulation skills, which means your child might find it hard to stop themselves hitting out if they are upset, frustrated or angry.[1]
Your toddler’s early friendships are likely to be based around shared interests and play ideas.[2] They might make a friend who enjoys running around as much as they do, or always want to play with the toy animals.
