Your Toddler...You Can...
...is often afraid of strangers and strange places. She becomes anxious when parents or other trusted caregivers leave her sight.
  • Stay nearby when your child is playing. She'll play longer and more happily when she feels safe.
  • Give your toddler lots of time to warm up to new faces and new places.
  • Use photos and video tapes to help your child "get to know" family members in other cities.
...is becoming her own person with her own personality and demands.
  • Let your toddler make choices. Ask if she wants to wear this shirt or that shirt; these socks or those socks; play on the swing or in the sandbox. She gets a feeling of pride from making decisions. An added bonus: she gets to hear and try out new words.
  • Offer real choices, when toddlers tend to say "NO" to everything. Instead of saying, "Do you want to brush your teeth?" say, "Do you want to brush your teeth before you put on pajamas or after?"
...can now move her fingers more efficiently and her stronger hands can do difficult jobs.
  • Give your toddler containers that she can fill up and dump out.
  • Let your child "draw" with chunky crayons.
  • Buy some simple puzzles (having only a few large pieces). Help put them together the first few times, then let your child try it alone.
  • Give your toddler toys she can put together, pull apart, dump, push and pound.
...is becoming more independent, but still needs you to provide a safe and healthy environment.
  • Teach your toddler the meaning of "hot." Keep all hot liquids, electrical cords, irons and coffee pots well out of reach.
  • Cover all electrical sockets and say "NO" if she tries to take them apart. Then distract her with a safe and interesting toy.
  • Move out of reach anything that your toddler can break, eat, drink, poke or pull on top of herself. Make sure there are no dangerous objects within reach of the high chair. Medicines and other poisons are especially attractive, so have a poison control center number nearby.
...likes copying adults, and playing with things that are just like the ones mommy and daddy use.
  • Play "pretend" games with your child, letting her pretend to do things she sees you do: putting on make-up, driving a car, cooking dinner, caring for a baby. Talk to her about what she is doing, and offer ideas for more play.
  • Provide "props" such as hats, small tools, aprons with pockets, empty containers, plastic keys and other safe items.

 

Source--Tips from Tots: A Resource Guide for Your Infant and Toddler, by Cindy Baker and Toby Long. Vort Corporation.