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It’s easy to think of your 1-year-old as a helpless Baby. She still has chubby cheeks, round belly and dimply little hands. And while she is starting to walk and maybe even talk a bit, she still cannot do very much.
Or can she? You might be surprised by how many tasks your toddler can handle if you give her the chance. Her motor skills have improved a lot. And that doesn’t just mean that she is able to grab and throw blocks; she may even be able to hold a pencil and scribble. Toddlers have real capabilities. By encouraging them to use their skills, you can help nurture their development. So go ahead, let your child try these activities.
BEING MOMMY’S LITTLE HELPER
At this age, your child likes to mimic the things you do. Take advantage of this (and instill good habits) by having her help you pick up toys, throw away trash and wipe up spills with paper towel. Let your toddler’s interest in specific tasks guide you: Shelly enjoys putting the small cushions on the sofa when her mom is tidying up. And 18-month-old Ali makes a game out of dropping clothes into washing machine. “He gets really excited about helping me,” says his mom, Rana.
EXPLORING HIS ARTISTIC SIDE
Art projects don’t have to wait until preschool. Toddlers like to create things too, but they need a lot of time to experiment with how art materials work. Finger painting, sponge painting and drawing with crayons will help them to accomplish these goals.
To minimise the mess, cover the table and floor. Give your child as much space to work in as possible. “At this age, his fine motor skills are fairly limited, so he will need to use his entire arm—not just his wrist and hand—to draw,” says a training manager at a montessori.
CHALLENGING HER TASTE BUDS
Toddlers get bored eating the same kind of food every day. And they like trying new tastes, so give them the chance. “A child’s food habits form between ages 1 and 2,” says, a nutritionist. Expose your child to a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products and meats. Don’t give up if she pushes away her plate. A child may need to see a new food up to a dozen times before she will try it.
Eliminate choking hazards by cutting your child’s food into small pieces. “If you have a family history of allergies, it’s probably best to stay away from nuts, fish, shellfish and eggs until age 3.”
ALLOWING HIM TO CALL THE SHOTS
At around 18 months, your toddler is capable of making simple decision, such as the colour of the shirt he wants to wear or what he would prefer to have for lunch. Giving him a say in these matters will make him feel important and may help in reducing his tantrums now and later. If you don’t give your child some control, you will be batting all the time once he turns 2. Offer no more than two choices at a time. When he acts finicky at the breakfast table, say, “You can have either a banana or an apple. Which one would you like?” If your child feels overwhelmed, such as when he walks into a room filled with toys and doesn’t know what to choose, steer him toward a couple that he might enjoy and say, “Do you want to play with that ball or this car?” If he still seems confused or frustrated, then it’s all right for you to decide for him.
TEACHING HER TO BE SELF-RELIANT
Want a happier, more confident toddler? Show her how to put on her shoes, take off her shirt and pants, wash and dry her hands on her own, and slip her arms into a jacket by herself. Boost her self-reliance by asking her to bring you a fresh diaper and some wipes when it’s time for a change. And have her grab her sippy cup or her cap when you are going out.
LETTING HIM HAVE FUN ON HIS OWN
Your toddler always wants you to join in the fun, but this can sometimes get quite exhausting for you. Here is how you can get a little breather and help him have fun on his own: Start by doing an activity together (such as building with blocks), then slowly back away. Stay within his sight and smile or wave when he glances at you. But to treat this exercise as a chance to catch up on housework is not only unfair to your child but also unproductive because at this age your child will only be able to play on his own for about five minutes—so make sure you are there.