Monday, 29 August 2011

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF TODDLERS

Take some time to watch toddlers playing. Notice the differences in their development: height, weight, how they relate to you and to other children, and their energy levels. Some children seem to never sit still, while
others seem happy to sit down with a book. Toddlers learn by exploring and experimenting. They love to do things over and over.


ONE-YEAR-OLDS:

- are curious.

- imitate animal sounds.

- can name familiar people and objects.

- combine two words to form a basic sentence.

- use the pronouns me and mine.

- use "no" frequently.

- name body parts and familiar objects in pictures.

- use objects for their intended purpose.

- begin to include a second person in pretend play.

- have a short attention span.

- can hold a pencil and scribble.

- are very active.

- have trouble knowing what is real and what is pretend.


Try some of the activities listed below to help one-year-old toddlers growand learn.

- Roll a ball for them to catch.

- Provide safe mirrors for them to look at themselves. Talk with them about their reflections in the mirror.

- Let them fill containers over and over again.

- Let them push or pull a favorite toy.

- Look at picture books with them, and talk about the pictures.

- Talk about the size, shape, and texture of everyday objects.

- Make comparisons such as "this ball is bigger than that ball."

- Talk about cause-and-effect relationships such as "if you push this block, the whole pile of blocks will fall over."


TWO-YEAR-OLDS:

- follow simple directions.

- use three or more words in combination.

- express their feelings and wishes.

- use objects to represent other objects.

- still have a very limited attention span.

- can memorize short rhymes.

- join in simple songs.

- begin to think about doing something before doing it.

- have trouble making choices, but they want to make choices.

Try some of the activities listed below to help two-year-old toddlers grow and learn.

- Encourage toddlers to run, jump, and climb outside.

- Sing songs with them, and act out songs with simple movements.

- Play pat-a-cake, and teach them simple finger plays.

- Tell them simple short stories, especially those about themselves or other two-year-old children.

- Let them pound a toy workbench.

- Give them water to measure and pour.

- Let them stack blocks and other objects.

- Provide things that can be taken apart and put back together, such as large pop beads.

- Ask children to name objects in pictures. Give them the correct word if they cannot think of it.

- Give them simple directions to follow.

- Play matching games and work simple puzzles with them.

- Encourage pretending by providing dolls, housekeeping toys, dress-up clothes, and toy telephones.

- Introduce art activities - scribbling or painting with crayons, chalk, and paint; play dough and finger paints.

- Begin toilet training, hand washing, and tooth brushing when the toddler is ready.

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