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Toddler – Physical Development

+1. TODDLER

TODDLER Refers to the name of the stage when a 1-2 year old discovers the new ability of walking.

a). Toddler’s generally walk and run with their feet further apart than an adults.

b) Spend time each day in active play to exercise muscles, practice walking, and use up stored energy.

+Promoting Walking (Choose 3)

Toys/activities that promote walking: Push walking toys Pull walking toys Riding toys Walking games

Battle the balloon (keep a balloon floating in the air) Dancing Obstacle course

+2. Physical growth of a toddler slows down in this period of development. Children from ages 1-3 gain about 1/2 pound per

month. Growth in height slows by about 1/2.

a) Growth tends to slow down as the child gets older

b) There is rapid growth in a toddler’s torso, arms and legs.

c) Body changes in a toddler’s proportion helps to improve their balance and motor skills.

+3. Motor Skills a) Due to the wide range of physical abilities, each child

develops Large (Gross) and Small (Fine) Motor skills at their own rate.

b) These variations can be caused by physical size, health and diet, interest, temperament, opportunities, etc...

+3. Motor Skills

Tricycles Big Wheels Running

Puzzles Coloring Building with Blocks Getting Dressed ***Struggle to use scissors

and markers

Activities for Gross Motor Skills Activities for Fine Motor Skills

3a). Toys should NOT have small parts!!!

3b). Activities for Motor Skills:

+Average Motor Skills

LARGE Gross Motor

1 Year Old

Crawling, beginning to walks Learning to run

2 Year Old

Walks well Goes up and down steps alone Runs Seats self on Chair

SMALL Fine Motor

1 Year Old

Pincher grasp Mastering holding objects

2 Year Old

Uses spoon and fork Turns pages singly Attempts to dress self

+3c). A toddler takes on the stairs 1st: Climbing up on hands and knees then sliding

down. 2nd : They practice walking up the stairs by holding

hands or the railing and placing both feet on the step. 3rd: The toddler finds “Stair Challenge” going

downstairs alternating feet

+3d). HAND-EYE COORDINATION, moving the hand

precisely to what is seen, is poor at first, but with practice it improves.

Help a toddler improve their fine motor skills and manual dexterity, skillful use of the hands and fingers, by providing:

blocks, beads, crayons, toy pianos.......

+4. Safety Because a toddler is more mobile and naturally curious,

a caregiver must always think about the child’s SAFETY by setting up an environment where they can play and explore.

+5. Self-Help Skills

Toddlers want to be independent or have a task on their own (i.e.: feeding and dressing themselves)

If the child is old enough to do it or wants to attempt it, the caregiver should let them and not be concerned with the end result.

The process is more important than the final product Develops independence and self-confidence

+6. Self-Feeding Self-feeding depends on and helps to improve their fine

motor skills.

a) Toddler’s should be allowed to start feeding themselves simple finger foods.

b) Due to their small stomachs, it is best to feed them every 3-4 hours or 6 small meals/snacks

+6. Self-Feeding a) …other slideb) …other slidec) Give smaller serving sizes/portions using their

fist/hand OR 1 Tablespoon per age (i.e. 3 TBSP for a 3 year old

d) Because a toddler’s growth is slowing down, they will eat less than they did in their first year.

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e). Children need a variety of nutritious foods daily so plan meals using the MyPlate.

- Use convenience and packaged foods cautiously and serve fresh foods as often as possible. - Packaged foods are high in salt, fat, sugar,

preservatives, artificial colorings and flavors.- Provide foods rich in necessary nutrients

- Adequate amount of liquid – MOSTLY water(Okay to choose 100% fruit juices, low-fat milk)

+Follow the infant self-feeding guidelines and these other tips:

Use a variety of colors to make the meal visually appealing.

Include foods with different textures (crunchy, chewy, juicy, hard, soft...)

Foods with a variety of shapes add appeal.

Serve a variety of temperatures – both hot and cold foods.

Serve small proportions: give 1 TBL of food per age (the size of the child’s hand/fist)

Allow the child to help in simple food preparations and setting the table

Cut food into small pieces.

Do not force feed or show anger

during mealtime

Eat together as a family – have the toddler sit at the table with the family

Sit with your child and talk with them as they eat

Provide child size eating utensils and dishes, unbreakable, facilitate success

Offer only one new food at a time

Low sugar and low salt foods

Never use food as a punishment or a bribe.

Remove the food from the child when there is more playing than eating

+7. Hygiene

Help children develop a good attitude about good hygiene (personal cleanliness) and proper skills.

a)  Teach them to wash their hands each time they use the bathroom.

b)  During bath time let the toddler: Wash, rinse, and dry themselves.

***Never leave a young child alone in the bath – not even for 1 minute.

+8. Teeth

The quality of a child’s teeth is greatly influenced by their diet (what they eat).

a. The mom’s diet during pregnancy and the diet and care of the child during the first 2 years will lay the foundation for good or poor teeth.

Teach Dental Skills Give a child sugar foods/candy/drinks sparingly and avoid

putting a child to bed with a bottle unless it contains water. Help the child learn how to brush and floss their teeth. Help them get in the habit of brushing after they eat. Use a small toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste. Begin regular dental checkups by 18 months old.

+9. Toilet Training

Toddlers begin TOILET TRAINING when they are PHYSICALLY and EMOTIONALLY ready, NOT by a certain age.

a) Treat accidents matter of fact so there is no pressure or feeling of shame and doubt

b) If the child gets frustrated and resists trying, stop and try again in a couple of weeks.

c) Night time training should be attacked once they have day time training under control.

***When toileting is taught too early, the process tends to take LONGER