MM Toddlers
It can be subtle, it can be slow, but gradually your little toddler will begin to morph into a pre-schooler. Here’s MM’s guide to spotting the signs…
Bye bye baby!
‘They grow up so fast.’ That’s what everyone tells you practically from the moment you leave the hospital, isn’t it? But it’s true. One minute, you’re nursing a helpless little babe in your arms, and the next you’re chasing a boisterous toddler around the house. But what about the next stage? The one
where your cute toddler develops into a child who’s ready for preschool or playgroup? What are the signs your child is saying goodbye to toddlerhood?
Talking This may be one of the most obvious signs since your child may have become ‘all chat’. Their vocabulary will be rapidly expanding and their sentences will be becoming longer. Sadly, however, the previously cute and endearing ‘mamma’ and ‘dadda’ will now be replaced with the more mature – and correct – mummy and daddy, and you may find that all those cute mispronunciations that you loved – ‘sagetti hooks’ for spaghetti hoops etc - are uttered less frequently.
Nappies Most kids will be toilet trained by this stage and, give or take the odd night-time incident, you will probably find that nappies and accidental wetting are things of the past. You’ll also find that your child
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will be becoming more independent – ‘let me do it mummy’ will be a frequent cry – and will be happy to flush the toilet and put the seat down by themselves.
Independence Increasing independence will mean that your child won’t want your constant supervision any more. On fun days at the park, for example, you’ll probably find that your child will be happy enough simply knowing that you’re there, but won’t want you up their back. If they’re at a distance from you, you will probably find they’ll make frequent trips back to you for reassurance.
Fine motor skills By the age of three, your child’s fine motor skills should be well perfected. They’ll be able to use a pencil with a good degree of control and will be able to dress themselves.
No more naps Now, there are pros and cons to this one. The fact that your child no longer requires an afternoon nap means that you will no longer have a quiet spell during the day when you can schedule in some chilling time or some time to catch up on emails etc. At the same time, however, you will be able to have more freedom and won’t have
to factor in one or two hour spell every afternoon when you have to be home.
Did you hear the one about…? Kids of this age tend to have discovered a sense of humour and will love to tell – or hear – silly jokes.
BFFs? By around three, they’ll also have begun to make their first friendship s and will find that they’re able to interact better with some kids than with others. This is when those first important friendships are made.
Ta ta to tantrums Remember the days when your child would think nothing of lying prostrate on the supermarket floor, screeching blue murder because you wouldn’t allow them to wreck the baked bean can display? Now you’ll find that your child is beginning to develop a sense of reason – understanding, for example, why they have to wear a seat belt, or why they have to hold your hand when crossing the road.
These are, of course, only guidelines, so take into account that kids will develop at their own rate. So, if you’re currently standing in a supermarket in front of a baked bean can display and your three year old is prostrate on the floor…
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