Remember Anything

Start Setting Up a Lifetime of Good Habits by Encouraging Activities in the Toddler Years.

There is perhaps no greater amount of learning and development accomplished both socially and mentally than during a child’s toddler years. This is when children begin to test limits, learn right from wrong, learn general rules of expected behavior in their society, and begin the formation of their educational learning styles. This may sound scary if you are a new parent or have a child about to reach the age of two, but don’t be alarmed—there have been millions of people who have gone before you and the vast majority have succeeded.

A toddler is generally defined as a child between the ages of 2-4 years old. Most are walking and potty-trained by this point. Mentally, your child’s brain is set to lay in patterns of learning and habits that will define him or her as an individual for the rest of his or her life. You can improve your child’s chances for future success by shaping the learning activities she or he participates in during these years. Most important is that you take an active role in the process.

Some of the main areas to work on include hygiene (washing hands, brushing teeth, bathing, combing hair, etc.), spatial perception (big vs. small, close vs. far, heavy vs. light, etc.), memory skills (matching items, what’s missing, counting, learning letters) and basic social skills (sharing, taking turns, table manners, etc). While some of this is easily done just by interacting with your child, other children can benefit from toys and games developed especially to teach these skills. The website www.fun.familyeducation.com offers a full range of options and even has them organized by the different skill sets that they focus on. For immediate online fun let your toddler play at www.toddlertoddler.com. You can also print off worksheets and coloring pages. There is even a section offering tips from other parents who are going through the same things you are. Another great site is www.familyplayandlearn.com, which offers both tips for parents and games for toddlers. There are other websites and books available to you through the internet.

Having toddlers can be frustrating while they develop their own personalities. The point is not to give up hope and to keep working with them to help them become great, happy people as adults. This is the time during which their minds, bodies, and souls all grow at tremendous rates. Each day is filled with new experiences that build on the ones before it. By using the right tools and techniques you can be a great benefit to your child. Remember, someone had to take the time to make you who you are—don’t you owe it to your child to do the same?

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