Your 21-Month-Old

cooking WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR CHILD: TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Your child's limited vocabulary may create some misunderstandings. Watch for words that sound alike but have very different meanings, or words that have more than one meaning. Enjoy watching your little one take on the challenge of learning to speak. You're all sure to have an occasional chuckle when you realise how your comments have been interpreted.

2. Your child is mature enough to begin learning how to share. Sharing is sometimes a difficult lesson to learn - even for adults. How can you teach your little one how to share her precious belongings? Model the behaviour for your toddler. Share your 'toys' with her. Do not force her to share or offer her toys to another child without her consent. Instead, explain that sharing is good and that it makes others feel happy. Remember that sharing is difficult for all kids. Acknowledge her feelings and compliment her efforts. With a little work she'll begin to understand the benefits and enjoy socialising with her friends even more.

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YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY

Be sure your child's runny nose isn't caused by allergies. Interestingly, new research suggests that frequent pet exposure early in life appears to protect against not only pet allergy, but also other types of common allergies, such as allergy to dust mites and grass. If you find that your child has allergies, keep the tips below in mind.

  • Limit the number of carpets in your home.
  • Mop the bare floors, furniture and blinds regularly.
  • Replace fabric curtains with blinds.
  • Wash bed linens frequently in temperatures over 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dust mites.
  • Keep stuffed animals out of your child's bed or wash stuffed animals with the bed sheets.
  • Zip your child's pillow, mattress and box springs in protective covers.
  • Keep family pets out of the bedrooms at all times and never allow the pets to sleep on your child's bed.
  • If you have a basement, keep your child away, as mildew is likely to grow there.
  • Wash clothes after your child plays outside.
  • Make sure your child bathes and washes her hair before bed.
  • Keep windows closed, especially in the bedroom.
  • Use an indoor clothesline or a dryer to dry your laundry.

    Set the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating. Healthy eating is a learned skill. Helping your child to master the art now will set her on the course for a lifetime of good eating habits.

  • Pay attention to nutrition. Which foods does your toddler need? How can they be prepared in an appetising manner?

  • Respect your child's preferences. Children have likes and dislikes just as adults have. Do not force your child to eat a particular food. Introduce him to a new food several times, but once he's made his opinion clear, do not force the food on him. If your child does not like the food, try finding another that offers the same nutrients.
  • Plan regular meals. Children thrive on consistency. Encourage them to listen to their bodies and eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full.
  • Model proper eating habits and behaviours. Eat meals as a family. Choose healthy foods for yourself. (You can't expect your child to eat a baked potato if everyone else is having chips and crisps.)

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    FUN ACTIVITIES

    Watch a plant grow. Do you remember planting a little bean plant in primary school? You filled a cup with dirt, carefully inserted a single seed and diligently watered it on your classroom windowsill for a few days. One day, when you arrived for your lessons, there in the sunlight was a tiny little green sprout. How amazing it was to watch it mature into a full bean plant. Introduce your little one to this fun activity. First, select a brightly coloured container. Then fill it with dirt and plant a seed. Help your child take care of her growing plant every day. Read books like Jack and the Beanstalk while you wait for the plant to grow. Then watch her amazement as her own beanstalk comes to life.

    SIMPLE WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

    Perform a breast-check every month. This extremely important procedure is simple and takes only a few minutes each month. If you are menstruating, the ideal time to perform the exam is two to three days after your period. Otherwise, simply select one day each month to perform the exam. Report any irregularities to your GP immediately. And remember to stay up-to-date with recommended mammograms. Breast-checks are just one more tool you have to help you stay healthy while you care for your family.

    Adopt a healthy lifestyle to help you look your best. For a busy mother, long and involved hair and makeup sessions have become a thing of the past. Don't worry about spending time on artificial beauty. Natural nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meats can help your body maintain its healthy glow. Add a planned exercise routine and plenty of fluids, and you're on your way to a beautiful new you. Glowing skin, manageable hair and a new healthy outlook on life will make you feel and look your best.

    Learn from your mistakes. Nobody's perfect. Everybody makes mistakes. How many times have you heard that? Still, nothing feels quite as bad as making a mistake involving your children. But when mistakes do not harm anyone and they are handled properly, they can provide a wonderful learning opportunity and help us grow into better people. Remember that the mere fact that you are an adult (and a parent) does not make you immune to being wrong from time to time. Admit when you have made a mistake. Learn to apologise to your child. Kids can learn from your mistakes as well. Don't take it too hard - chldren are very forgiving.