Toddlers are little people with big feelings that they don\u2019t always have the words for and as a Parent you play a major role in the natural way children learn and develop. Playing with your toddler gives him a chance to express his feelings and practise managing them.<\/p>\n
You can also help your toddler recognise what she\u2019s feeling and why.<\/p>\n
Your Toddlers Feelings<\/strong><\/p>\n This is one of your child\u2019s most important ages for emotional development.<\/p>\n Your toddler is going through lots of emotions while also learning about other people\u2019s feelings. Temper tantrums are normal because children often don\u2019t know how to put words to \u2018big\u2019 emotions like frustration, anger, embarrassment, guilt and shame.<\/p>\n Your toddler is also starting to understand how her behaviour affects you and how your behaviour affects her. She won\u2019t have as much separation anxiety, and might not get so upset when you leave her.<\/p>\n Your Toddler and Talking<\/p>\n Around two years, your toddler might be able to use sentences of 2-3 words and say \u2018I\u2019, \u2018you\u2019 and \u2018me\u2019. He\u2019ll learn and use lots of words and will be easier to understand when he\u2019s talking.<\/p>\n At three years, your child will be able to use sentences of 3-5 words, or even more. She\u2019ll start learning how to take turns when speaking and might be able to have a short conversation with you.<\/p>\n Your child is learning how to talk about things that have happened during the day. With your help, he might be able to put things in order to make a simple story \u2013 for example, \u2018I go shop.\u2019 \u2018And what did you do at the shop?\u2019 \u2018Buy milk.\u2019 By three years, he might be able to tell a simple \u2018made-up\u2019 story based on his experiences, but it will probably be quite short.<\/p>\n Your Toddler and Thinking<\/strong><\/p>\n Everything your child has learned so far has developed his thinking.<\/p>\n Your child is starting to understand concepts like time and opposites \u2013 for example, big\/small and day\/night. She\u2019ll also start to point to body parts based on what they do, sort objects, and match shapes and colours. And she\u2019s starting to remember what some things look like \u2013 for example, apples look red and round.<\/p>\n Your child solves problems by trying things out.<\/p>\n Your Toddler Playing and Learning<\/p>\n Play is important because it\u2019s how your child learns.<\/p>\n Your child will enjoy playing with others, playing dress ups, having tea parties, painting with his fingers or a brush, and playing \u2018rough and tumble\u2019. When he plays with you or other children, you might find that your child is getting better at taking turns.<\/p>\n Telling stories, singing and reading are also fun things for your child to do at this age.<\/p>\n Helping your Toddler build Everyday skills<\/strong><\/p>\n Around this time, your child is keen to do more things for herself.<\/p>\n For example, your child can probably wash his own hands, wash himself at bathtime, feed himself and get dressed \u2013 although he\u2019s probably better at taking clothes off than putting them on! And he\u2019s still learning so you might still need to help.<\/p>\n You can build your child\u2019s confidence in doing things herself by letting her help you around the house with chores like sweeping or dusting. She\u2019ll feel very proud when she\u2019s a good helper.<\/p>\n Your toddler might even be ready to start toilet training. Some of the signs your child is ready for toilet training are if he:<\/p>\n can do most things that you ask without your help If you start toilet training too early, it might take your child a while to learn.<\/p>\n Your Toddler and Moving<\/strong><\/p>\n Your toddler can run and will probably fall less. He\u2019s starting to walk up and down stairs on his own, but will sometimes use the rail for balance. He\u2019s now better at throwing overarm, kicking and catching a ball, and might even stand on one foot for a few seconds.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re around while your child explores, she feels reassured and safe. This helps your child to build confidence to try new things and explore on her own.<\/p>\n With your child so active, it\u2019s a good idea to look at how you can make your home safe for him to move around in.<\/p>\n At this age, your toddler might also:<\/p>\n jump on the spot Give your child the chance to play with others: play is a great way for your child to make friends and learn how to be with other children. But don\u2019t expect sharing and taking turns just yet \u2013 toddlers still think that everything belongs to them.
\nis interested in watching others go to the toilet \u2013 this can be awkward or make you uncomfortable at first, but it\u2019s a good way to introduce things
\nlets you know when he does a poo or wee in his nappy
\ncan follow simple instructions like \u2018Give the ball to Daddy\u2019.
\nWatch and see whether your child is ready for toilet training \u2013 but try not to push it. Going to the toilet is one of the hardest things for your child to learn because it uses so many skills. For example, your child must know when she needs to do a wee or a poo, understand that she should do wees and poos in the toilet, be able to walk and climb onto the potty or toilet and pull clothes up and down.<\/p>\n
\nride a tricycle
\nrecognise objects and name them
\nuse one foot and then the other foot when walking up stairs.
\nHelping toddler development at 2-3 years
\nHere are some simple things you can do to help your child\u2019s development at this age:<\/p>\n
\nEncourage everyday skills like using a spoon and putting on shoes. These skills involve both small and big muscle movements, as well as your toddler\u2019s ability to think about what she\u2019s doing.
\nTalk with your toddler: naming and talking about everyday things \u2013 body parts, toys and household items like spoons or chairs \u2013 helps develop your child\u2019s language skills. At this age, you can teach your child that a \u2018chair\u2019 can be a \u2018big chair\u2019, \u2018red chair\u2019 or even a \u2018big red chair\u2019.
\nGive meaning to your child\u2019s talking by listening and talking back to him. If your toddler says \u2018Mama milk\u2019, you might reply by saying \u2018You want Mum to get you some milk?\u2019 This also makes your child feel valued and loved.
\nRead to your toddler: you can encourage your child\u2019s talking and imagination by reading together, telling stories, singing songs and reciting nursery rhymes.
\nDo some cooking with your child: this helps your toddler to get interested in healthy food, learn some new words, and start to become familiar with maths concepts like \u2018half\u2019, \u20181 teaspoon\u2019 or \u201830 minutes\u2019. You can give her simple things to do, like buttering bread and flipping pancakes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"