Toddler Week 17

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Development Spurts

How easy it would have been if all children developed at exactly the same pace! You would never have to wonder  if your child’s actions are appropriate for his or her age. But if you come to really think about it, how boring it would have been too if all children developed at exactly the same pace! You would have missed out on so much natural variety that gives your child his or her exact personality, abilities, and interests. The fact is, every child is a unique human being who is in constant interaction with the influences in his or her environment. It is this complex interplay between nature and nurture that causes considerable variation among typically developing children. Here are some issues to keep in mind as you consider your child’s development:

  1. Be careful when comparing your child to a sibling or a friend. Each has his or her individual strengths and weaknesses, and each develops at his or her own pace. It is not fair to compare an early talker with a slow talker who might be an early walker if both children’s development falls within the typical range.
  2. If you feel concerned about your child’s development, remember that your child will grow, change and learn – guaranteed! If you wonder whether your child’s development takes too slow, ask yourself if there was any change or growth in his or her development in a specific area in the last two to three months. If your child’s development remained the same for that period, or if your child regressed, it is time to consult your physician.
  3. Celebrate your child’s uniqueness by giving verbal and non-verbal affirmation whenever he or she attempts something new.
  4. Encourage your children’s development with age-appropriate toys, games and activities, but never force them to do something that they would rather not do yet. Some children prefer to observe what others do before they start taking part by themselves.                                                                                                                                                                              

Soon enough, when you have no toddler in your household anymore because all of them had grown up, you would look back into your children’s toddler years and reminisce how much you enjoyed your time with them, that is, if you taught them well enough and they have, in consequence, grown up to be good individuals.

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