Toddler Tip of the Day

You may notice that your toddler does not eat as much food before. During her first year of life, she grew extremely fast. Now that growth has tapered off, so she doesn’t need to eat as much.

However, it’s still very important to provide your toddler with a variety of nutritious foods from each of the food groups.

From: sparkpeople.com

Tags: growth, food, milestones

Give your child a chance to choose his own books. If your toddler chooses a book that is too long to hold his attention, read some and skip some, discussing the pictures and how they relate to the story.

From: National Education Association

Tags: books

Make a painted place mat by dribbling rubber cement randomly or in a design over a sheet of white construction paper.

After allowing to dry (about 30 min), paint over the rubber cement using tempera paint. Allow the paint to dry, then peel the rubber cement off the construction paper to see the design that is left.

Finish by covering both sides of the painting with clear contact paper to make it into a place mat.

From: familyeducation.com

Tags: activity

The Pooh Library original 4-volume set deserves a prominent place on your bookshelf.

Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends–blustery old Owl, bouncy Tigger, clever Christopher Robin, glum Eeyore, and the rest - have been a staple of children’s literature for over 70 years.

From: Lil’ Fingers Storybooks and Games

Tags: books

Your toddler needs structured as well as unstructured play time to develop normally.

Try to create a day for your child that is well-balanced. Choose activities that are loud and quiet, indoors and outdoors, those that require small muscles like finger painting, large muscles like running or playing with a ball and cognitive skills like simple puzzles.

From: babyparenting.about.com

Tags: play, activity

Music is a wonderful medium for play. Even young children love to bounce, sway and wiggle to the music.

When they get older, you can make instruments such as paper plate tambourines, an oatmeal box drum, or noisemakers from paper towel rolls, or filling up 20 oz. bottles with various things to make noise (rice, water and confetti, beans, coins etc).

This is a great way to get the children to march with their knees high for a parade or play "follow the leader".

From: sensory-processing-disorder.com

Tags: activity

If you want to put something in her hair, put it in yours first.

Try putting a headband on a small child and she’ll shriek and run like you’re trying to insert tacks in her scalp. Put it on your head and pretend it’s yours, and she’ll howl for you to share and then proudly wear it the rest of the day.

From: magicalchildhood.com

Tags: hair, grooming

Symptoms that occur repeatedly after eating a particular food that may include hives, swelling, gagging, coughing or wheezing, vomiting or significant abdominal pain may point to food allergies

From: healthychildren.org

Tags: allergies

Toddlers are extremely able to manipulate things around the home like electrical sockets and appliances.

Since they mimic our behavior, they will no doubt try to stick things in every hole they can find. Start by covering electrical outlets and vents throughout the house and make sure that no appliances are left plugged in.

From: childproofingtips.com

Tags: safety

Cooked peas, corn, and green beans can help toddlers practice using their pincher grip to develop small motor skills as they enjoy a healthy meal.

From: suite101.com

Tags: motor skills, food