Growing Up

Introduction

Caring for a growing toddler can be exhausting – but there's so much to look forward to. This chapter, which is divided into two sections, offers essential parenting tips and recommendations to help your little one grow up happy and healthy.

Young father playing with his daughter inside with toys

1. Toddlers 1 – 2 years

Toddlers are explorers, learning about a new world. They are inquisitive and beginning to explore the use of language as well as the world around them.

Highlights

Toddler food – At their age, toddlers discover their food by touching, playing, squashing and eating it. For example, you could present different coloured food (e.g. green beans, carrots) and different shapes (sticks of carrot, cubes of potato) to make their meal time more interesting. Go straight this chapter for more great tips on food and nutrition.

Toilet training – Around 18 months to two years, toddlers start to become aware of body sensations and are ready to start toilet training. Get to know the techniques and steps to help them along the way.

2. Pre-schoolers 3-5 years

Your pre-schooler is curious, active and loves challenging you with their independence, trying to do everything themselves. By 3 years they are speaking clearly enough to be understood by people other than your family. They may start constantly asking ‘Why’. By 5 years or earlier, they will have sufficient language to talk about everyday activities.

Senior woman getting out of bed holding lower back in pain

Highlights

Play and toys – In the pre-school years, your child will have a vivid imagination in their play. It is important to encourage this. One trick to keep them adequately stimulated during playtime is to rotate their toys – put some away for a few weeks or for a rainy day. Explore other tips on playtime activities to enhance their development..

Speech and language– Between the ages of three to five years, your child’s speech and language skills are rapidly developing. Explore the various methods to encourage your child’s skills through play and everyday activities.

Preparing for school – It’s best to start preparing for this occasion a few months before the commencement of school. For starters, you can teach your child to recite their name, address and phone number in the event they get lost. Here’s a checklist of tips that can help ease the stress on that first big day.

Senior woman getting out of bed holding lower back in pain

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