The ‘Me & Mine’ phase
TODDLERS
Module 5
1 – 3 Years
Inception of Identity
Toddlerhood is the period of inception of the child’s first sense of self—his or her early identity.
Developmental tasks for toddlers are complex and interwoven, making huge demands on early care and education.
Toddlers are working on their identity; they want to know who they are and who’s in charge. This emerging identity encompasses all developmental domains—how the child uses language, explores materials, moves independently, seeks support or comfort, establishes autonomy, and interacts with the people and things in the environment.
The following articles will give detailed insights into various aspects of development and the effective strategies you can use to support your toddler’s optimal growth and learning.
We hope that the curated list of articles:
- Speak to you, putting into words the development you see occurring each day with children from birth.
- Support you in understanding and propagating effective practices of child development
- Make you better equipped to plan for intentional interactions with your child
- Strengthen your commitment to respectful, responsive & reciprocal relationships with your child
- Enhance your belief system around the individual nature of the developmental trajectory and the crucial role that family and context play in each child’s development
Psed
Physical Development
Communication & Language
Literacy
Math
Toddlers
PSED
Cardinal
Chapter 5.1
Personal,Social,Emotional Development (PSED) in Toddlers – An Introduction
PSED is everywhere and in every interaction, you have with your toddler. From teaching him/her manners, to encouraging her to do things (washing hands, putting on shoes, tidying the room etc) on her own are all part of supporting your child’s PSED.
Individuality
Chapter 5.2
Personal Development In Toddlers
Research indicates, warm, positive interactions stabilize connections in the child’s brain. These very early connections in the brain are the ones related to “attachment”; hence high- quality, responsive care must be provided for this critical process called attachment to thrive.
Survival
Chapter 5.3
Social Development in Toddlers
By the second year, the growing child attains a new sense of independence through movement. They thrill of moving around helps them perceive their individuality. Gradually the confidence and urge to self-help develops. If they don’t learn some degree of self-sufficiency, they come to doubt their own abilities and feel shame.
Security
Chapter 5.4
Emotional Development in Toddlers
Toddlers express pride, embarrassment, shame, and empathy; adults need to support toddlers’ efforts to learn to use coping techniques to deal with everyday frustrations. They also begin to test limits and strive for independence.
Happenings
Chapter 5.5
Enabling Environments for Toddlers
Learning environment (both indoor & outdoor spaces) should ideally be both rich and varied and secure and safe. It enables the child to explore and learn with confidence. Planning commences in accordance to the inferences drawn out of observation.This helps you to not only know what your child is learning but how he/she learns as an individual.
Nudge
Chapter 5.6
Positive Relations with Toddlers
Toddlers strive to know about ““who I am? and where do I fit in the world?”. It is the phase when the child begins to be resistant and wants to do things independently. Parental support towards their child’s developing sense of autonomy, has many positive cognitive and social outcomes.
Toddlers
Physical Development
Backstage
Chapter 5.7
Physical Development in Toddlers
This is the phase when your toddler is naturally consumed in exploring and establishing his/her physical development. It would seem like your child is on repeat mode! Going over and over again on the skills s/he knows. This is necessary to ensure strengthening of those connections in the brain.
We Hear You!
Chapter 5.8
Supporting your Toddler’s Motor Skills
Motor skills and cognitive processes influence each other and are manifested mostly through behavioral motor modalities. Hence, apart from the maturational level of the Central Nervous System, other variables influencing motor behaviour include…
Toddlers
Communication & Language
All Ears
Chapter 5.9
Communication & Language with Toddlers
Toddlers ‘teach themselves’ via everyday interactions especially ‘with you’! As the child steps into toddlerhood. There is an obvious increase in the ability to communicate. With the onset of language, the child is now able to gather information and better able to clarify needs.
Notions
Chapter 5.10
What Language Allows a Toddler to Do: The Cognitive Link
Apart from communication, language has a significant impact on ‘thought, cognition, and self-regulation’. Experiences can be recalled, and talks can happen by labelling a word against an object. With time the memory bank of the child grows, having all these labelled experiences.
Toddlers
Literacy
Not ABCs…
Chapter 5.11
Early Literacy for Toddlers
It isn’t necessary to “teach” very young children. The bond you create through books, music and playing will support your toddler’s learning for a lifetime. Early language and literacy skills are learned best through everyday moments with your child – when you talk to them and they communicate back to you…
Toddlers
Math
Concepts
Chapter 5.12
Math for Toddlers
Early math doesn’t mean taking out the calculator during playtime. Even before they start school, most children develop an understanding of math skills through informal daily routines you share with your child.
The Play Way
Chapter 5.13
Talking Math with your Toddler
A toddler’s environment significantly contributes to inciting numerical thinking as well as building strong spatial skills! Young children pick up early math skills by building on their natural curiosity in everyday playful activities. Some ideas to playfully introduce early math skills to toddlers…