Acknowledgements - gapitc

Teaching Toddlers
Encourage your child to “teach” something to a younger child.
Your three year old can do such things as: look at a book with the younger child,
play with the child in the sandbox, build with blocks, do a puzzle, or help with an
art project.
This builds positive feelings in the older child and gives the younger child some
individual attention.
Talk with your three year old in advance about being kind and gentle with the
younger child. Supervise carefully.
My “I Can” Can
Get a cardboard tube container with a plastic lid, such as the ones that tennis
balls or potato chips come in.
Cut a piece of construction paper large enough to go around the can and let
your child decorate it. Tape or glue the decorated paper to the can.
When your child accomplishes a new task, write it on a slip of paper and let her
draw a picture to go with it. Write the date and put it in the “I Can” Can. For
example, “Madeline can pedal a tricycle 9/12/07.”
Occasionally, read the slips of paper with your child and talk about how proud
she must feel about all she can do. Try this when she is feeling sad that she is not
able to do the same things as her older brother or sister.
Share your child’s “I Can” Can with close family members!
Find opportunities to encourage your child’s efforts and accomplishments.
Encourage your child to take pride in his efforts and accomplishments. Although
children like to hear praise from adults, it is important that they learn to feel
their own sense of pride, too.
When your child says, “I can’t do it,” encourage her to “try again” or break the
task down into smaller steps so she can be successful one step at a time.
Encourage your child to “stretch” his abilities. When he has mastered a skill,
encourage him to try something a little more difficult.
Share your child’s efforts and successes with close family members—talk
about what your child is “learning to do” in addition to what she has already
mastered.
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