TODDLER PARENT NEWSLETTER

PLEASE KEEP ME HOME IF.......

Im vomiting 2 or more times within 24 hours I have a rash, lice, or nits I have diarrhea, 3 or more times in 24 hours I have an eye infection, thick mucus or puss draining from the eyes I have a soar throat with a fever or swollen glands Im unusually tired, pale, lack of appetite, confused, or cranky I have a fever Temp of 100F (taken under arm) or more

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL MILESTONES

AGE

RELATIONSHIPS
-Explores, but checks in -Makes needs known -Shows affection -Shows increased awareness of being seen and evaluated by others -May initiate play with peers -Begins to see benefits of cooperation

EMOTIONS
-May show increased fearfulness -Aware of own feelings And those of others -Shows pride in accomplishments -Communicates feelings more often -May protest, say NO - Laughs -Smiles -Shows empathetic concern for others

EXPLORE AND LEARN

-Shows strong sense of self as an individual, as evidenced by no to an adults request -Shows interest in others, people, and playthings -Engages in make believe -May enjoy repetition, such as reading a familiar story -Experiences self as a powerful, potent, creative doer

TODDLERS 12 months To 24 months

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 12-24 MO

Loving relationships give young children a sense of comfort, safety, confidence, and encouragement. Nurturing connections teach toddlers how to form friendships, how to communicate emotions, and how to deal with challenges. Supportive relationships with parents, adults, and friends also help children develop trust, empathy, compassion, and a sense of right and wrong (a conscience). Young toddlers are starting to develop a sense of self-awareness- that they are separate and independent from others. This new knowledge helps them understand that other people have thoughts and feelings that may be different from their own. Realizing this helps children to develop empathy- the ability to put ones self in another persons shoes and i magine what he is feeling. Young toddlers are also becoming more and more interested in their peers, though at this age they usually dont play with other children, but next to or nearby. Children will begin to play more interactively with peers as they near age 3 and beyond.

WHAT CAN YOU DO :

1. Support young toddlers developing skills

a. Help your child become a confident problem-solver b. Praise the process, not just the result 2. Help children resolve conflict in healthy, appropriate ways a. Provide lots of support to young toddlers playing in a group b. Play turn-taking games c. Distract your child, or redirecting their attention 3. Help your child feel safe and secure a. Be a safe home base for your toddler b. Establish routines and transitions 4. Look for ways to make your home culture part of your childs everyday routines a. Teach your childs caregivers b. Choose books and music that reflect your home culture

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 24-36MO

Loving relationships give young children a sense of comfort, safety, confidence, and encouragement. Nurturing connections teach toddlers how to form friendships, how to communicate emotions, and how to deal with challenges. Strong, Possitive, Supportive relationships with parents, adults, and friends also help children develop trust, empathy, compassion, and a sense of right and wrong (a conscience). This year children really begin to play interactively with their peers. You will also see a real explosion in pretend play, a critical aspect of childrens development. Pretend play builds language, thinking, and social skills when children take on roles and develop their own ideas and stories. Two-year-olds are also capable of empathy- understanding the feelings of others. You might see a child comfort a peer who is hurt or even cry when he sees another child who is upset. At the same time, toddlers still love to say NO! and struggle with resolving confl icts with friends. Children develop more advanced social play skills, such as sharing and turn-taking, over time as they near age 3 and beyond.

WHAT YOU CAN DO :

1. Help your child understand his/her feelings a. Explore the idea of feelings through play b. Be a careful observer c. Help your child express his/her feelings in age- appropriate ways Encourage early friendships a. Offer some play activities that dont require sharing b. Ask your child how their behavior might affect others c. Make a friend book d. Help your child to see others points of view Let your child take the lead in deciding what to play a. Comment on or describe what your child is doing b. Get involved in your childs play by following his/her lead Support older toddlers developing skills a. Empathize with your childs frustration b. Ask your child if he/she knows what may be causing the problem c. Offer your observations d. Ask if he/she has any ideas e. Ask if he/she wants any suggestions f. Provide the support she needs to be successful g. Praise the process, not just the results Help your child resolve conflict in healthy, appropriate ways a. Keep it simple b. Go over what just happened c. Point out the consequences of the childs behavior d. Brainstorm better choices your child can make next time Use language to describe feelings and experiences a. Put your childs feelings into words b. Read books about feelings Explain your reasons for limits and requests a. Talk about rules and limits in language that your child can understand b. Show your child the benefits involved in cooperating Look for new ways to make your childs home culture part of their everyday routines a. Teach your childs caregivers b. Choose books and music that reflect your home culture

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