CHILD ABUSE

Toddlers Exploring the World

Though it can be hard to keep up with an exploring toddler, exploring is good!

• It helps children grow in important ways.

First is the growth of intelligence.  A toddler's interest in learning about the world encourages him to use his senses -- tasting, touching, seeing, smelling.  His senses help him understand help him understand how things are different from each other and how they work.

By trying new ways to handle objects and by asking questions, a toddler begins to learn how to solve problems.  Imagine your toddler exploring with his "sippy cup" of milk.  by banging it on the high chair tray, he hears what sound the cup makes.  By shaking it, he learns how to tell whether it is empty.  and by turning it upside down, he discovers he can make a mess!

Another result of exploring is social and emotional growth.  When a toddler knows that she can explore her environment and yet return to a parent when she needs help, she becomes secure and confident.

Exploring is also vital for physical growth.  Toddlers must move around to learn about their world.  They develop eye-hand coordination.  The also develop coordination in the large muscles used to walk, run, climb, and jump.

Helping your Child Explore Safely

• Toddlers try to get into everything

Parents of toddles often feel tired day and night.  Just watching your active little person zoom around the house can be exhausting!

Keeping a toddler safe requires constant attention, and sometimes it seems you can't relax for a minute.  It is surprising how many dangerous places and object toddlers can discover.

But the extra work it takes to encourage your child as he explores and learns it worth it.  Sometimes you may want to stop your child's need to explore, but remember: exploring is necessary for a growing child.  Focus your energy on providing safe places for your child to learn about his world.

You won't have to go running after your toddles so often if you get rid of some of the dangers at home.  Your toddler is just too young and too active to think about safety.  She ignores things that re in the way.  Bumps and falls don't stop her.  You can never leave a child at this age unsupervised.  However, your job will be easier if you take the following steps.

• Put away anything that you child can easily damage or that can hurt him.

• Use safety gates on stairways and porches.

• Block the way to open, unguarded windows.  Fasten screens.

• Cover electric plugs.

• Keep all medicines and poisons (like cleaning products) in a locked cabinet.

• Teach your child how to climb up and go down stairs safely.

• Make safe play areas and provide safe toys.

• Understand that your words won't always stop your child from doing something unsafe.  When that happens, take firm action to stop your toddler.  Then tell her why you did it.

• Be available to move in instantly when a action is needed (for example, around an unfriendly dog, a speeding car, or stairs).

Your toddler is probably busy from morning to night-- turning up in places you wouldn't expect!

• He climbs on the kitchen table.  How did he get there:  Next he's playing in the toilet ... and then he's off to help you with chores, and dumps the trash on the floor.

A Toddler's curiosity can be frustrating to parents!  Children learn by exploring their environment.  But their exploring should happen in a safe place and in ways that help them learn.  As you see your child begin to discover her world, keep these ideas in mind:

• Exploring is normal and important for children to do.

• Exploring is one of the first steps to learning about objects and learning how to solve problems.

• Children are fascinated about how things work, what they look like from the inside and how they are made.

• Skills like pulling up, standing, crawling, walking, climbing and running help children explore and test their environment.

Source: University of Illinois Extension

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Is Your Child Normal?

When your child is between 1 and 3 years old, she will probably be interested in everything and everyone, especially if it's new or different.  She will want to be part of whatever you do.  She will try to imitate you.  She will also insist on trying to do many things by herself.  Sometimes she will strongly resist your help.

• They climb on furniture and crawl into small places.

• The play with water, wherever they find it-- in sinks, toilets, tubs, fish bowls, and puddles.

• They open cabinets and drawers, pulling out everything inside.

• They get into purses, make-up cases, and other containers.

• They scoot away in stores to touch things on shelves.

• They approach dogs, cats, and other children to play.

Exploring With Books

Books can also be helpful in helping children learn about their world.  Libraries and bookstores have many books to read with your toddler.  Some books allow your child to do things like touch a special place on the page.  Others encourage children to explore with characters.  Both types can be enjoyed by children for a long time.