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Baby's Development
By the end of this month, your baby may be able to:
- Remove an article of clothing
- Identify two items in a picture
- Throw a ball overhand
Parenting
Happy Birthday!
Your toddler is now two years old. Throughout the next year you will see his personality emerge and his character develop. It was only a year ago that he could barely walk. Throughout the next year, he will most likely learn how to go to the bathroom without using a diaper, his vocabulary and speech will grow in leaps and bounds and he will have greater dexterity and physical ability. You will see and hear him express his emotions including his ever-growing love for you and your partner.
Now that your toddler is entering his "terrible two's," he will most likely test your patience more this year than last. It is important to be sensitive to your child's needs but to also maintain your role as the parent in your relationship. Try to be understanding when he needs you but enforce rules and discipline when he "acts out." Over the years, you will be the driving force in guiding your toddler to understand right and wrong.
Communication: Nurturing Self-Esteem
All children want to feel that they are valued and belong. It is your job as a parent to nurture your child's self-esteem. It is important to start encouraging your child now to accomplish tasks, like learning how to play with a new toy and to tackle new challenges like putting on socks. When you boost your child's self esteem and give your toddler the space to try new things, you are teaching him how to achieve life skills which will in turn help him feel good about himself, independent of you.
The following are ways to encourage the growth of your toddler's self-esteem:
- Acknowledge your child. Pay attention to your child, even if you are busy. If he wants something "right now" and you are busy, take a second to look him in the eyes and tell him that you are busy but that you will help him when you are through. If you consistently ignore your toddler when he wants your attention, the message you may send to him is that he isn't important enough for your time.
- Love unconditionally. This usually isn't hard for a parent to accomplish but you are human, and a difficult toddler can test you. If your child is being bad, correct him but don't make him feel that he is a bad person. Help him understand that it is his behavior that needs to change. Give him hugs and kisses to let him know that you will still love him even if he makes mistakes.
- Set boundaries. With rules comes security for your toddler. Be consistent in your messaging so that you do not confuse your toddler. For example, if your house rules are no shoes on the sofa, or no drinks in the living room, hold true to those rules.
- Provide options. Often a child just wants a say in what he does during his day. By providing options, you are helping your toddler become confident in his decisions.
- Let him try new things. If he gets frustrated with something, give him some time to try to work it out on his own. He will look to you when he decides he needs help. Until then, he may actually accomplish his task on his own.
- Create opportunities for successful outcomes. If your child experiences the feeling of success, whether it be from drinking from a "big boy" cup on his own or putting on his jacket, he will likely want to repeat the activity and will increase his ability to try to do things on his own.
Remember, when helping your child feel a sense of self-worth, try not to embellish or over-react to simple situations. If it is expected that he act in a certain way, reinforce that he has done a good job but do not over-hype your reaction. Too much praise can hinder self-esteem since it may create pressure to perform, which could lead to a continual need for approval from others.
Playing: "Free" Play
"Free" play is considered to be the time a child is playing independent of structure, directions or leadership. This type of play, whether it is with balls, blocks, dress-up clothes, or trucks, encourages your child to use his own ideas and imagination. He is able to explore what interests him on his own, without being told what to do or say.
The following are benefits your child may receive from free play activity. He will:
- Develop social skills through role-playing
- Build self-confidence through a sense of power and control
- Build his sense of creativity or imagination
- Exercise or burn off energy
- Learn by using all of his senses (sight, hearing, touch, and smell)
- Enhance language skills
To provide "free" play opportunities for your child, you may need to schedule the time, turn off the television or encourage him to go outdoors. Offer toys designed for "free" play such as crayons, Play-Dough, blocks, cars, or dress-up clothes. Let your child play alone or with a friend while you do something else nearby. If your toddler invites you to play, be open to what he wants to do and encourage his imagination.
Learning: The "gifted" child
The label "gifted" can have a broad definition. All children are special in their own unique way. Some may show signs of agility and athleticism as soon as they walk others may have an innate interest in music or art. Some are born leaders and others show a flair for organization or detail.
If you think that your child is intellectually gifted, it is wise to support him and encourage him to continue to follow his interests, however, refrain from adding extra pressure on your child to over-achieve. Your child is only two years old and forcing him to practice the piano for hours or swing a golf club over and over again may only lead your toddler to resent an activity that he may have been able to develop in his own time.
Health and Safety Information
24-month well-baby visit
** Your baby should see his pediatrician this month for his 24-month well-baby visit. **
During this visit you can expect the following:
- Measurement of your baby's height, weight, length and head circumference
- A developmental assessment of physical and intellectual development
- A physical exam (includes hearing check, vision check)
- Immunizations (dependent upon pediatrician's immunization schedule)
- Recommendations about parenting practices, learning development, nutrition, toilet training, and other issues about the upcoming year
Remember to ask the pediatrician any questions or concerns you may have regarding your baby and his health, social skills, safety or development. Your next well-baby appointment will be when your child is three years old unless the doctor directs otherwise.
Additional Health and Safety Information
Tip of the Month: Syrup of Ipecac
It is important to note that syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal are no longer recommended as at-home treatments for poisoning or suspected poisoning cases by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If you currently stock syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal in your home, the AAP recommends that you safely dispose of the two products. Safe disposal includes flushing the product down the toilet, rinsing the container in the sink and disposing of it in a secured trash bin.
Syrup of ipecac has been used as an at-home treatment of poisonings for decades; however, current medical research shows that syrup of ipecac does not positively change patient outcomes. In fact, researchers found that the administration of ipecac might actually delay hospital-based medical care. At-home treatment with activated charcoal has been used for several years as well; however, the treatment has not been definitively proven to result in a positive change in pediatric patient outcomes.
If a poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs, the AAP urges individuals to contact a regional poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222 for free, confidential treatment recommendations.
Note: Developmental information within this newsletter provides parents with general guidelines to follow. Remember, all babies develop differently, and few hit their milestones exactly when conventional wisdom says they will. If your child was born prematurely, you can use your due date as a baseline for following your baby's development.
Reviewed by:
Alfred Carlson, Jr., MD
Pediatric Medical Associates
Review Date: Sept. 2004
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