1. Toddler Tips (Age 12 – 36 months) “TerrificToddlers!” Georgia CTAE Resource Network Instructional Resources Office July 2009

2. Toddler Property Law 1.If I like it, it’s mine. 2.If it’s in my hand, it’s mine. 3.If I can take it from you, it’s mine. 4.If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine. 5.If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way. 6.If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.

3. Toddler Law Continued 7.If it looks just like mine, it’s mine. 8.If I think it’s mine, it’s mine. 9.If it’s yours and I steal it, it’s mine. 10.When in doubt if it’s mine, read 1-9!

4. Physical  Can run, jump, hop, skip, gallop, climb, march, dance, and balance on one foot, throw, catch soft toys  Rate of growth and appetite decreases from infancy  Arms and legs grow proportionally longer  Does not have the coordination for things such as a tricycle.  Teeth come in quickly nearing 2 nd birthday.  String beads, build with blocks  Cut with safety scissors – Fine Motor skills  Use large crayons and pencils  Fold paper; Screw & unscrew objects objects  Manipulate puzzles  Gross Motor skills – jumping over a water puddle

5. Mental / Cognitive  Make-believe play shows the beginning of symbolic thought.  Showing insight  Language abilities improving  Recognize and count objects that are similar.  Basic colors  Can recall basic events of day  Imitates parents verbal expressions  Will ask many questions out of curiosity (“Why is the sky blue?”)  Do NOT usually have ability to arrange and rearrange in an organized logical manner.

6. Emotional  Usually affectionate, especially w/ caring adults  Emotional dependence from family  Deal with anger and negative emotions in hostile ways  Some behavior aggressive  Can become frustrated at limited abilities

7. Social  Can cooperate with others  Exhibit independence  Ready to learn  Conform to standards  Like to help (especially adults) – give easy task – don’t criticize  Interact with others on limited basis  Self-help skills  Should be praised for contribution  Begin to participate in parallel play  Solitary play still present – tea party w/ stuffed animal  Caregivers should be a ROLE MODEL for courteous behavior.

8. Vocabulary  Accommodation – deciding that all structures with four walls and a roof are houses  Assimilation – believing that every older male is “grandpa”  Attention span – listening to a story from beginning to end  Autonomy – refusing to wear the shoes mom has chosen  Parallel play – playing close to someone but not playing with the same thing  Solitary play – usually imaginative play without other children  Preoperational Period – (Piaget) – Starting to notice the pictures in a book instead of simply tearing up the pages

10. Safe Activities  Imitative toys: small broom, toy lawn mower, toy vacuum, toy stroller  Play games with lightweight balls, bean bags, rolled up socks. A large laundry basket can be used as a “target.”  Play simple games of hide-and-go-seek. Give them sound of voice to follow.  Read picture books to toddler. Ask them to “find the….”

12. Activities cont.  Give plastic bowls, containers with lids, and some plastic spoons. Children enjoy banging the spoons on the containers and matching lids to correct containers.  Tie a short string to a medium-sized cardboard box. A toddler will enjoy filling the box with toys and stuffed animals and pulling the box from place to place.  Give an empty paper bag and some safe objects. The child can play “shopping.”

13. Group Times  Always should be optional  2-5 minutes  Close off areas in the room that could be distracting  Don’t be afraid of repetition. If they love it, do it over and over again.  Try to incorporate activities that involve movement.

14. Group Times Cont…  If you are conducting a group time for the first time, it probably will not go as planned. Practice!  Go to the children to begin group time, then eventually stick to a certain place in the room.  Try to incorporate activities that involve movement (dancing, stretching, etc.).

15. Group Times Cont…  Non-movement group times should be minimal and always “hands on” to ensure active involvement.  Must Have: opening, prop, body, closing  Choices: All them to have a “Free pick Friday.” Allow the children to choose the group time.  Be Flexible…Plan A, Plan B, Plan C…