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Ideas
For Sand & Water Play
Shiny toy trucks, huggable dolls, toys that buzz
and whir-they can hold a toddler's attention for
a short time. But we know something that will
keep a toddler happy and learning for the better
part of a day-just add sand and water!
And you don't have to go to the beach to let your
child discover sand and water fun-with a little
planning, it's as close as your own backyard-or
kitchen sink.
Play with sand and water lets toddlers explore
their creative possibilities. It also helps with
eye-hand coordination. Maybe best of all, this
play satisfies every toddler's natural urge to
make a beautiful mess!
Water can be fun for toddlers when it's poured,
sprinkled, measured, squirted and dabbled in.
Sand is all that and more fun, too. Pour and measure
it like water-or mold it, dig in it, draw in it
and even hide daddy's toes in it!
Ideas for Water Play
Toddlers can play with water in the bathtub, at
the sink or in a wading pool-always with adult
supervision.
For sink play, provide a plastic smock, a sturdy
stepping stool and because the water rarely stays
in the sink, some large bath towels on the floor.
Make sure sharp kitchen tools are out of reach,
teach your toddler not to touch the hot water
tap, and stay nearby to guard against falls.
Some found "toys" for water play include:
tea strainers, sponges, funnels, plastic cups
and just about anything that floats.
Special Safety Note: Always keep close watch when
your toddler plays in even a few inches of water
in a sink, tub or a pool. The danger of drowning
is very real-even in shallow water.
Ideas for Sandy Fun
Make your child's sandbox out of four railroad
ties set in a square. Even simpler, use a molded
plastic wading pool with holes punched in the
bottom for drainage.
Special Safety Note: A backyard sandbox should
be raked carefully and covered every day to keep
it clean. If your toddler plays in a public sandbox,
try to sift through the sand first, checking to
make sure it's free of debris.
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Social
Climbers: Understanding Toddlers' Not-So-Perfect
Social Skills
Toddlers are fascinated by people their own age
and size. Playing with other children on a regular
basis lets toddlers develop affectionate relationships
that can last for years.
Of course, toddlers are just beginning to learn
social skills. One 18-month-old can't really understand
another's point of view, and it will be several
years before they'll be really good at sharing toys,
resolving arguments and respecting the needs and
rights of others. So when toddlers get together
you can expect the some typical toddler social behavior:
1.) Staring
Toddlers often just stand and watch other children
play. It's best not to pressure them to get busy.
Watching is their way of learning about each other.
2.) Parallel Play
Young toddlers often play side-by-side each other
doing the same activity. Although they seem self-involved,
they are probably very much aware of one another.
Often they are copying each other and probably they
have a sense of companionship that will be the basis
for more cooperative play later on.
3.) Empathy
When one toddler is hurt, another may cry in sympathy.
A friend recalls a whole group of playmates all
crying at once over a single skinned knee, and a
father told us that his daughter's first sentence
was "Joey cry," uttered when a toddler
playmate woke from his nap.
4.) Poking, Pushing and Hitting
For all their friendly feelings, toddlers do not
always understand that their actions can be hurtful.
They tend to treat other toddlers like objects.
When they poke or hit a playmate, they need an adult
to promptly and calmly call a halt to the aggressive
behavior, then quickly move the children into friendlier
play.
5.) Grabbing Toys
Toddlers have no capacity for true sharing. When
they see a toy on a shelf, toddlers go up and take
it. When they see a toy in the hands of another
child, they often do the same thing. They are not
being selfish or greedy at this age. They are simply
being toddlers. Toddlers should be taught not to
grab a toy if another child is playing with it.
You can take the toy from the offender and return
it to the first toddler, saying, "When Sarah
is finished with the truck, you can have a turn."
Then, when the first child finishes with the toy,
make sure the second child has a chance to play
with it. When toddler guests visit, you might consider
handing out duplicates of toys, since sharing is
so difficult at this age.
Above all, be patient with toddler friends and notice
the affection as well as the conflict in their play.
If you watch for the positive incidents, the negative
ones will seem less important. It takes years to
learn social skills, but you can give your toddler
a good start now.
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Turning
Two Without Tears
The day after his son's second birthday, a father
described the party, "We had everything.
Lots of children, balloons, piles of presents,
party games and favors, a big cake and ice cream.
Everyone had fun except Jason. He spent the whole
time crying."
Probably "everything" was a bit too
much for little Jason. He would probably have
been more comfortable with a party on a smaller
scale. Often a toddler's parents plan a birthday
party like the ones they remember from their own
childhood, without realizing the parties they
recall probably took place when they were seven
or eight years old, not a mere two! When there
is too much fuss, toddlers are apt to feel overwhelmed
and confused.
The best parties for young toddlers are small
and simple. Keep these simple tips in mind when
planning your toddler's birthday "bash":
Stick with a Kid-Friendly Guest-List & Activities
To maximize fun and minimize distress, invite
only a few children (three or four at most), schedule
the party so it doesn't coincide with naptime
and avoid competitive party games.
No Presents Please
Realize that 2-year-olds have no understanding
of the concept "birthday" and will expect
presents of their own if any are given to the
birthday child. To avoid fuss and hurt feelings,
you might ask the mothers of guests not to bring
gifts. Or, have a small-identical-present for
everyone to open at the same time.
Keep Toys Out of Sight
Before guests arrive, put away any toys that you
won't be using for party games. Since toddlers
find it difficult to share, extra toys in view
can lead to unnecessary upsets. Try to confine
the party to one room and clear it of any objects
that could be damaged, so you won't have to worry.
It might be your first time entertaining a group
of two-year olds. If you're looking for a toddler-friendly
party agenda-consider this one:
- Welcome each guest and let the children play
informally. Don't expect your 2-year-old to
be much of a host or hostess.
- After a while, read a story to those who want
to listen.
- Serve refreshments. Toddlers rarely eat much
cake, so stick with mostly ice cream, fruit
juice or milk and, perhaps, cupcakes or decorated
cookies.
- Sit in a circle on the floor for some group
songs and games. Roll a large beach ball from
one side to another. Play simple finger-games
or a naming game such as "Can you blink
you eyes? Who can clap hands?"
- Play music and have a parade through the house.
- Keep the party short. It should last no longer
than an hour or two.
- Make leaving easier and happier by handing
out favors to toddler guests as they go.
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