How to support…
Language Development and Communication
- Help the child to develop communication skills by having conversations. Eat together as a family with no distractions (i.e. smart phones). Turn off the technology in the house; YOU are your child’s most effective learning tool!
- Read books, talk about your day, and share jokes. In the car you can sing songs and recite poetry or rhymes.
- Encourage spoken language when you know or feel that your child is capable. Don’t “give in” to pointing or whining.
Following A Work Cycle
- Limit the number of toys available to your child and store them in containers that are categorized simply and understandably. For example, blocks in one bin, musical instruments in another, books in the same place on the shelf.
- Model putting items back. Have a general clean up at specific times (e.g. before dinner) when you work with the child to restore order.
- Be consistent. If you keep changing the rules your child will just keep trying to find another way around them.
Independently Dressing/Toileting Learning/Self-Care
- Choose clothing that is easy for your child to manipulate. Examples include pants with elastic waistbands and jackets that can be “flipped” over the head.
- Allow time for your child to dress him/herself or at least collaborate with you. An example of collaborating would be putting your child’s sock on half way and then allowing them to pull it up over their heel.
- Incorporate toilet learning in your child’s routine at home and communicate with the Toddler Guide so there is consistency between home and school.
