1. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 15 Providing for the Toddler’s Developmental Needs

2. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Providing for Toddlers’ Food Needs Food intake should always meet nutritional needs They eat less food than infants or adults Foods high in calories and low in nutrients should be avoided – eating too much of these empty calorie foods may cause too much weight gain now or in the future continued

3. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Providing for Toddlers’ Food Needs Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the body’s immune system Food allergy – most common foods include milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, soybeans, tree nuts food labels are required to list these ingredients Registered dietitian has special training in nutrition and diet and meets the qualifications of the ADA Registered dietitian

4. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Meeting Nutritional Needs of Older Toddlers MyPlate food guidance system MyPlate – developed by USDA – designed for people two years and older create personalized eating plan based on age, sex, activity level (www.ChooseMyPlate.gov/)www.ChooseMyPlate.gov/ – five major food groups grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein foods oils (not a food group) included, but eaten in limited amounts Smaller serving sizes for older toddlers

5. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Clothing Should allow toddlers to stay active, comfortable, safe Should withstand constant movement and messy play Sizing is not consistent – s-m-l or 18 mo. or 1T – most accurate is weight/height ranges Self-dressing features (toilet learning) – elastic-waist pants, shorts

6. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Important Features in Toddler Clothes Growth features SafetyComfort Easy care Quality construction

7. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Rest and Sleep Sleep fewer hours and take less naps than babies Sleep needs vary – more when ill – less when stress is occurring More likely to resist sleep – struggle for autonomy continued

8. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Rest and Sleep – set a bedtime ritual (routine) ritual one hour a night only restful activities naptime rituals can also be helpful continued

9. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Hygiene Bathing is one of the most important aspects of hygiene for toddlers Should not be left alone when bathing May want to bathe themselves

10. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Toilet Learning Toilet learning is the process by which adults help children control their excretory systems Toilet learning Timing varies from toddler to toddler Many toddlers do not complete the process quickly

11. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. When the Toddler Is Ready Child-sized toilet, potty chair, or toilet ring should be used – step stool can help with full-sized toilets continued

12. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. When the Toddler Is Ready Let toddler see toilet before using – may want to sit on it with clothes on Bathroom should be lit – night-light – easy-to-reach light switches Clothes should be easy to manage – warm weather clothing is easier

13. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Language Activities Adults can enhance the toddler’s use of language Early childhood programs that allow for play and exploration help language learning Parents can organize their homes to promote language learning

14. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Toddlers Need to Hear Language Adults should talk to toddler’s during daily routines, games Adults can begin talking in a conversational manner before child can respond verbally Adults should use all types of sentences as they talk to toddlers Adults can help toddlers learn to make different sounds

15. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Clear and Simple Speech Speech should be clear and simple – match sentences to child’s level – do not talk beneath child’s level – model language, but be relaxed about child’s language errors Adults can expand on child’s sentences Children will learn what they hear and will repeat it

16. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Choosing Books for Toddlers Reading books and saying rhymes helps toddlers develop language continued

17. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Choosing Books for Toddlers Pictures must be colorful and simple Storylines should focus on toddlers’ favorite subjects Books should be durable Pages should be easy to turn and keep open

18. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. How Toddlers “Read” Will not sit still and look at books for a long time Tend to glance at a page and then turn to the next May look at pictures and not listen to the entire story Adults can name objects in the book and point, then ask toddler to point

19. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Reading to Toddlers May insist on hearing same story over and over – routines (especially at bedtime) help feelings of security – comforting presence of adult adds security

20. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Singing with Toddlers Songs that act out the meanings of words are helpful to toddlers Adults and children can make up words to mileage tunes

21. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Discipline Toddlers lack self-restraint (they cannot always control themselves)self-restraint Do not always know the rules of acceptable behavior Parents are in Galinsky’s authority stage of parenting Toddlers must have limits to help them learn socially acceptable behavior

22. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Balancing Self-Assertion and Obedience Self-assertion is doing as one chooses rather than what others want Self-assertion Obedience is acting within the limits set by others Obedience Meet toddlers needs, not punish what they do wrong – each toddler has his or her own unique needs, but some needs are common continued

23. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Balancing Self-Assertion and Obedience Need to feel loved Need consistency in discipline Need understanding and patient guidance Need respect Want to feel lovable

24. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Developmental Delays Infant development is generally measured through gross-motor skills During toddler years, fine-motor skills and language become more important in indicating healthy development