1. Helping Your Toddler Learn and Grow
Toddler Development
Helping Your Toddler Learn and Grow

2. The Importance of Cognitive Development

3. How Do Children Learn? Incidental Learning unplanned
sees and understands results of accidental actions
Imitative Learning
learns skills and behaviours by watching and imitating others
Trial and Error Learning
child tries several solutions to a problem before finding out what works
Directed Learning
child is taught skills and behaviour either formally or informally

4. Types of Play Solitary plays alone too young to share Parallel
18 months+
plays beside another child
pays little attention to the other child
Cooperative
3 years+
play together with same toy
may start to talk or share with each other

5. Providing Independent Learning Opportunities
Self Feeding
unbreakable dishes
bite-sized foods
comfortable spot to eat
Self-Dressing
clothes that are easy to put on
elastic waist
Velcro
Grooming Skills
provide own towel, brush, toothbrush, stool
demonstrate skills (provide example)
Helping Others
put toys away
put laundry away
be patient

6. Assessing Your Toddler’s Personality
Read the article “What’s Your Toddler’s Personality Type?”.
Answer the following questions:
How do “nurture” and “nature” each play a role in developing your toddler’s personality?
Define each of the four described personality types. What are some strategies you can use to bring out the best in each?
It is recommended that you create a chart when answering this question.
How might labels impact a toddler’s development? Provide three examples of “new” labels, noting how they could improve your toddler’s self esteem.

7. The Mind of a Toddler
Read the article “What’s Your Toddler’s Personality Type?”.
Answer the following questions:
How do “nurture” and “nature” each play a role in developing your toddler’s personality?
Define each of the four described personality types. What are some strategies you can use to bring out the best in each?
It is recommended that you create a chart when answering this question.
How might labels impact a toddler’s development? Provide three examples of “new” labels, noting how they could improve your toddler’s self esteem.

8. The Mind of a Toddler

9. Toddler Misbehaviour Self Centered
think about their own wants and needs
not aware of/thinking about others
Negativism
do the opposite of what others want
focused on independence; frustrated when they’re not given it
Temper Tantrums
release anger or frustration by screaming, crying, etc. because they can’t express their independence
Separation Anxiety
fear of being away from caregivers/familiar environment

10. Discipline Techniques
Distraction
provide attractive alternative to distract from dangerous or unsafe situations
Physical Removal
move children to a new setting to prevent further forbidden behaviour
Give Reasons
tell children reasons why certain behaviour is desired/undesired
Teach By Example
setting a positive example has the most lasting influence

11. Dealing with Fear do not shame a child for his or her fears
encourage the child to talk about his or her fears
give strategies for dealing with fears (eg., use a night light if he or she is afraid of the dark)
make new situations more secure by being there/in the background
discuss new experiences in advance