Play Is the Center of Your Toddler’s World

Poking, touching, and pushing are your child’s ways of showing interest in other children. They may be interested in a special friend their own age if that friend is with them a lot. You will notice your child will smile more and fight less with this friend than with a child who is a stranger.

From 2 to 3 years of age, your child will become more social and will enjoy playing with other children. Groups of children play best when they have the same toys or materials. They will fight less if there are two blue trucks the same size or two dolls instead of one doll and one truck.

Let your child play alone sometimes, but also make time to play with them. You’ll learn about them, they’ll learn about you, and you will be helping them to grow.

What Is It Like to Be 21-22 Months Old?

How I Grow

• I can pedal a small tricycle.
• I like to run more than I like to walk.
• I like to walk on low walls while you hold my hand.
• I can walk a few steps on tiptoe.
• I might be afraid of the noise of trains, trucks, toilet flushing, and the vacuum cleaner. I might also fear rain, wind, and wild animals. Be patient with me.

What I Can Do Myself

• I can wash and dry my hands.
• I may be able to put on my shoes, but I still can’t lace them, and I may put them on the wrong feet.
• I may be able to put things where they belong.
• I can pick up and put away my toys, if you will help me.
• I like to sweep, dust, mop, hammer, vacuum, shovel, scoop, or rake —because I have seen you do these things.

 How I Talk

• I can say about 20 words.
• I like to look at books, but if you don’t watch me, I may tear them.
• I like to hear stories.
• I can ask for things by name.
• I can point to five body parts on myself or my doll.
• I can help with simple jobs.

Play I Enjoy

• I like to play simple chase games like tag.
• A teddy bear or soft doll is still my favorite toy.
• I like to take things apart and put them together. Watch out that I don’t play with small pieces that could choke me.
• I can stack five rings on a peg toy in the right order.
• I like to be pushed on a swing.
• I play happily with soft play dough.

What I Have Learned

• I like very tiny things like bugs. Watch what I put in my mouth.
• I can name people I know from pictures.
• I can put together a puzzle if it has only two or three large pieces.
• I love to build and knock down, empty, pull apart, feel, twist, and squeeze everything I can get my hands on.
• I am curious about people, animals, birds, and everything that I see.

How I Get Along With Others

• I have a mind of my own, so I don’t always do what you ask. I often do the opposite.
• I can understand what’s mine and what’s yours.
• I try to tell people what I have seen and done.
• I’m beginning to understand other people’s feelings.
• I can sometimes cooperate.
• I can show love to you and other favorite people.
• I’m becoming easier to get along with, but I can still be hard to live with at times.

Some children do things earlier or later than described here. Most differences are normal. Focus on what your child can do and get excited about each new skill. If you notice that your child is lagging behind in one or more areas for several months, use this list to talk with your doctor about your child’s development.

Children in Quality Day Care Do as Well as Children Cared for at Home

Children cared for outside their home generally do as well as those cared for at home by parents, if they are in a quality program. Quality means a place that has caring, nurturing adults and a safe learning environment.

Some children develop better in out-of- home child care; some do better with in-home parent care. What is best for your child? That depends on your child at home, and the quality of out-of-home child care near you. It is important that you choose a day care program carefully.

Choose a consistent quality child caregiver who understands children.

If you want to stay home to raise your baby and are able to do so, then do it. You and your baby will gain from your time together. If you want to or have to work outside the home, then find the best option.

If you decide to look for child care, choose a place with quality caregivers. There are two things to ask yourself before you decide on a caregiver.

•  Does the caregiver like your child? Toddlers need lots of love and attention.
• Will the same caregiver be with your child every day? Toddlers need to form close bonds with people and can suffer if they have too many caregivers.

Children do best when their parents are happy and when they have a kind caregiver at home or in day care. Find a caregiver you can trust, so you can feel that your child is safe and secure.

Here Are Some Things to Look for as You Decide on Child Care

Does the caregiver…

• Have child-rearing attitudes like yours?
• Know what children can and want to do at different ages?
• Spend time holding, playing with, and talking to your child?
• Have enough time to look after all the children in their care?
• Welcome visits from parents?

Does the home or center have …

• A clean and comfy look and safe equipment?
• Nutritious meals and snacks?
• Diapering area that is separate from food preparation area?
• The capacity to meet the needs of your child — especially if they have special needs?
• Diapering area that is disinfected after each use?
• Detergents and other poisonous items that are kept out of reach or locked up?

Can children…

• Be held, cuddled, rocked, smiled at, talked to?
• Relax and rest when they need to?
• Walk and explore safely?
• Play with things which develop their senses of touch, sight, and hearing?
• Learn language? Does the caregiver talk and listen to the children, name things, talk about what your child is doing?

Avoid Hassles in Public

Have you noticed that your toddler seems to act up when you really want them to behave well? You are not alone.

Be reasonable.

Try to avoid situations that toddlers are too young to handle.

• Your toddler likes to do things their own way, doesn’t want to share toys, and may tear books.
• This may mean that play with age mates should be brief and visits to the library well-supervised.

Explain to your toddler before you go out what you will be doing together. Tell them how you want them to behave, and what will happen if they don’t mind you.

• You could tell them how you will reward their good behavior with a hug or a story on your way home.
• If you expect them to be bored, hungry, or restless, take food or toys to keep them happy.

Follow through.

If your toddler is being good, praise their good behavior. If they are not minding you, try to keep calm and follow through as you had discussed with them earlier.

• Try not to embarrass them or yourself in front of others. If possible, take them aside and tell them how you want them to act. Don’t give in to them. If you do, you are rewarding bad behavior and they will be more likely to do it again.

Redirect.

When your toddler acts out, suggest a new activity.

• Telling them “no” or “don’t” is not enough.
• If they fuss in the grocery store, ask them to help you find their favorite cereal or the apples.
• If this doesn’t work, tell them you will take them outside the store. Remain there with them until they calm down.

Toddlers Need Fiber Daily

Fiber helps your child’s digestion, keeps them from getting constipated, and makes them feel full longer. Eating fiber also reduces their risk of heart disease later in life. Children ages 1 to 3 years need 19 grams of fiber each day. Most toddlers do not get enough fiber.

How can you increase your toddler’s fiber?

At least half of the grains your child eats each day should be whole grains.

•  Substitute whole-grain crackers for saltines or pretzels.
• Mix whole wheat pasta with white pasta.
•  Replace white rice with brown rice.
•  Serve whole wheat bread instead of white bread.

Serve whole fruits instead of juice. Whole fruits contain more fiber than juice, and are more satisfying. Your toddler needs about a cup of fruit a day.

•  Instead of apple juice, serve apple or pear slices.
• Replace orange juice with orange slices.

Increase vegetables. Toddlers need at least ¾ cup of vegetables each day.

•  Add veggies to your child’s favorite foods.
• Mix green peas into macaroni and cheese.
• Add grated carrots or zucchini to spaghetti sauce.
• Fix vegetable soup.
• Serve raw vegetables with low-fat ranch sauce, and encourage your toddler to dip them.
• Try to serve at least one fruit or vegetable at each meal.

 Be a good role model.

• Your child learns eating habits by watching you.
• If your child sees you eating high fiber foods — like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains — they will be more willing to try them themself.

Offer your child fiber-rich foods at regular meals and snacks, and encourage them to try them without pressuring them.