WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR CHILD: FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Your child's language and motor skills are improving. Each day he shows his new talents by exclaiming new words and mini-sentences, or by performing seemingly impossible acrobatic feats.
Now when you sit down and read to him, he's apt to turn the pages for you and name the objects on his favourite page. And, after a hard day's play, he'll even be able to wash his hands - though you'll need to supervise and be available to dry the work surface afterwards.
Continue to talk and read to your child. Involve him in your family's daily routine. You'll marvel at the skills he learns and the words that come out of that adorable little mouth.
2. Your child may be able to say her own name. It's the name you spent months pondering, but you probably never imagined what it would sound like coming out of your child's mouth.
Your child is also beginning to associate names with people, and quite possibly with features such as her nose, eyes and mouth. Now she may begin pointing to pictures in her favourite books. Help her learn the names of things by repeating the words when she points to them. She's starting to realise that every object has a name and will soon expect you to help her learn what to call each item she sees. Enjoy her seemingly endless curiosity and delight in every new word she learns.
3. Your child is becoming more independent. He is entering the 'I do it' stage, when he wants to do everything for himself. He may now enjoy climbing onto his bike for a ride across the grass or down the driveway. You'll notice that the separation anxiety that caused him to cling to you is beginning to wear off. Don't worry, though. He's still most comfortable with you around and probably won't stray too far. Guide him gently and allow him to learn new tasks. Just be certain to supervise him more closely than ever before. With this new independence comes the wonderful art of testing limits. Set rules and gently but firmly stick to your decisions. Although he'll want to push harder, toddlers do enjoy a sense of order and structure. Enjoy these new challenges and keep your cameras handy to record his every move.
4. Your child is beginning to understand simple cause and effect. You and your child are having a great day when suddenly it happens: you suggest a simple task like a bath or a nappy change, and your little angel makes a face that lets you know an outburst is imminent. Wait! There is hope for keeping her calm. Help your toddler accept necessary activities by turning these tasks into playtime. This will be increasingly easy as she begins to understand simple cause-and-effect relationships. For instance, when she shies away from a bath, tell her that it's okay since you'd rather take one yourself anyway. Begin to step into the bath fully dressed. She'll no doubt remember that you are supposed to remove your clothes before getting into the water and will start to laugh at your mistake. Then get her to show you how it's supposed to be done. (Of course, she'll need your supervision and assistance with these steps.) Or when she decides her slippers are the latest trend in footwear, play along. Pick up your list and wallet and put on your coat - and slippers. Your whole family will dissolve into laughter at the mere thought of you getting in the car in your slippers. Humour is a wonderfully effective tool every parent should possess. You'll help divert future outbursts and teach valuable life lessons at the same time.
5. You may need to begin setting limits for your child. You know he's supposed to explore the world around him. You expect a certain amount of crying, and even screaming, as he tests his new voice. But there are times when you must put your foot down. How do you discipline your toddler effectively? What are some alternatives to the age-old practice of spanking? First, try to think of it as setting limits rather than disciplining. Tell him no and state the rule, such as, `We do not throw toys at our friends?. Be patient. You may need to repeat the same rule several times. Gradually, he'll begin to respect the boundaries you've set. Setting limits and sticking to them will offer your child a sense of structure. He may not immediately appreciate these boundaries, but in the long run he'll relish the sense of order.
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YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY
Keep your blind and window-shade cords out of your child's reach. Many blinds and shades pose a strangulation hazard to small children. Roll up excess string from blinds and window shades and place it out of your child's reach. Also be certain to keep cots, beds and furniture away from windows where a child may be able to reach the cords.
Be sure to use pesticides and herbicides properly. Improper use and storage of pesticides and herbicides can pose a serious threat to your family and the environment. Take these precautions to prevent potential emergencies:
Always use the chemicals in a manner consistent with their labelling.
Be on the lookout for product recalls. Often new items are packaged with a customer registration card. Have you sent off each card as you unpacked your new purchases? Without this card, it is impossible for a manufacturer to locate you to forward important information in the event of a recall. The government?s Trading Standards website (http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/) has a list of all recent product recalls. Check under `Safety Warnings?.
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FUN ACTIVITIES
Cook dinner together. After you've taken care to properly childproof your kitchen, invite your child to help prepare a meal. Explain what you are doing and offer her the opportunity to assist. The sink is a fun place to 'play', so you might let her wash the vegetables before you cook them - with supervision, of course. Another simple task is laying the table. While you or an older sibling will still need to put out the heavy and more dangerous items, your younger child can help by placing a napkin at every place setting. If she's not tall enough to put it on the table, get her to put one on each chair. When it's time to wash up, she can certainly dry plastic dishes. With each new skill she learns, your child's abilities and self-esteem will grow.
Enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors. What could be more special than a quiet picnic with the kids on a warm sunny day? Pack a light lunch that will travel well, and head to a nearby park. Use this time away from your house to forget about chores so that you can give your children your undivided attention. After the meal has been tidied away, take a stroll and explore the surroundings. Point out a family of ducks swimming in a pond or a group of interesting-looking plants. Be sure to remember family members who had to work or go to school during this special outing. Bring home mementos, like colourful leaves or a bunch of wildflowers so they'll be able to enjoy a bit of your trip as well.
Play the name game. You can make learning fun by playing a labelling game. Point to items and ask, 'What's that?' Tell your child the name and help him learn to pronounce it. Ask about the same item off and on for a day or two, and soon he'll be telling you what it is. Who knows - if it's a common item, he may surprise you with its name before you have a chance to tell him. A favourite subject is body parts. He's probably been able to pick out his nose, eyes and mouth for some time. Now he'll begin to say the words as well. Expand your questions to include feet, hands, arms, legs, etc. Naming body parts is an entertaining, educational and surprisingly calm game.
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SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Say goodbye to PMS. You don't have to be stuck suffering with monthly symptoms. Get rid of bloating, mood swings, headaches and other symptoms of PMS by following these easy guidelines: