Additional information from the chapter provided in the teacher’s addition.

The Toddler Years… By the time a child reaches the first birthday, little remains of the helpless infant of twelve months before. This new stage finds the child eager to be an independent person; with that search for freedom comes the challenges and struggles of acquiring new skills and obtaining a new understanding of the self and the surrounding world.

The Toddler Years… Toddlers prefer walking to crawling; walking brings new adventures as well as dangers. The increased mobility combined with developing motor skills serves to motivate the toddler to explore and expand territory. Parents and caregivers find their hours filled with a new set of concerns and a vigilance unlike that which was necessary during infancy. During the toddler years, everyone is busy!

Did You Know… In England, members of the upper class found it amusing to dress their children in the clothes of lower-class occupations. In 1876, the most popular costume was the sailor suit.

Did You Know… Sex Differences in Growing: Differences between the sexes are apparent in the ways children grow. At birth, boys are, on the average, a little longer and heavier. In the first three years, boys gain weight and grow taller at a slightly more rapid rate than girls. From 3 to 5 ½ years of age, marked changes occur in body proportion with boys and girls having much the same proportions. From 5 ½ to 7 years a period of slower growth begins and continues until the second growth spurt.

Did You Know… Sex Differences in Growing (continued): At 10 years, girls and boys are about the save average height, but girls are growing at a faster rate. Boys by age 10 are not as near their final height as girls are. The second growth spurt for girls is within two years before the first menstruation. Boys gain in height and weight faster with a few months of puberty, usually shortly before the fourteenth birthday.

Did You Know… Baby’s First Steps: The first steps taken by a child are treated as a landmark. Parents & caregivers look forward to them and are most certain to record them on file or video. Yet this major event will change daily life and has advantages and disadvantages. An obvious advantage is that the child no longer has to be carried everywhere. The child who can walk will interact with people differently as the view point shifts from eye level to a few feet above the ground.

Did You Know… Baby’s First Steps (continued): The child who is used to seeing a world of human faces now sees a maze of legs. In addition, the toddler is not on the same level as pets and flowers. The mobile toddler requires constant vigilance from caregivers. There are more opportunities for injuries and destruction of property. Just as dangerous is the ease with which a toddler can easily become separated from other on outings.

Did You Know… Health & Safety: Although nutritional needs are important food considerations, foods must be chosen carefully for toddlers for another reason. Many hard, round foods cause choking by plugging a child’s windpipe. Hot dogs, nuts, raisins, grapes, raw carrots, and hard candies are frequent culprits in this category. Hot dogs that have not been skinned and diced are a common cause of choking in toddlers. Popcorn is dangerous because it can be inhaled into the windpipe. These foods should not be given to a child under the age of four.

Did You Know… Building Self-Esteem: Affirmations are emotional reinforcements that let children know that they are lovable and capable. If practiced often, affirmations become the foundation for trust and support. Some examples for the one- to three-year-old child are: I like to watch your learn and grow. You belong here. You can ask for help. I love who you are.

Did You Know… Building Self-Esteem: As children succeed in developing their large and small motor skills, they need special praise from the important adults in their lives. Simple, sincere praise can help children recognize their accomplishments and feel good about themselves. Parents and other caregivers who recognize and praise developing skills can help in another way, too. They can be sure the child has a variety of experiences that will allow the child to practice using and developing that skill. With practice and praise, the child learns this important lesson: I can keep trying and I can do it!

Did You Know… What is “developmentally appropriate”? Since this term has such widespread use and importance for individuals involved in working with children, it is vital to understand the meaning of “developmentally appropriate”. Appropriate, means suitable or right. An activity or behavior that is developmentally appropriate, then, is suitable for the development of an individual child or a group of children.

Did You Know… “Developmentally appropriate (continued): In considering development to determine developmentally appropriate behaviors and activities, there are two essential factors: The age of the child Individual interest of the child.

Did You Know… “Developmentally appropriate” (continued): Age alone does not determine developmentally appropriateness. The other factor is the individual interest of the child, or in a group setting, of each child. What are the special needs of this child or this group of children? What are the particular abilities of this child or group of children? Both these questions must be answered before developmentally appropriate activities can be selected. Therefore, a developmentally appropriate approach is relevant to the particular child or group of children. It takes into account both the age of the children and the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the children.

In Closing… “Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.”