Your toddler’s days are getting busier and busier. You won’t always be able to keep up, so sit back and enjoy watching them go!
Character traits
Does your little one love to chat to anyone that will listen or are they more likely to hide behind your legs when you meet someone new? Whatever their personality, encourage them to be themself as this will make them feel secure and confident. Forcing a shy toddler to socialize won’t help. Instead, stay close in social situations and they’ll gradually get used to being around others and enjoying the company.
Pretend friend
At this age it’s common for your toddler to have an imaginary friend. Don’t worry too much about this new addition to the family, it’s a normal part of your child’s developing consciousness. A pretend friend can provide your toddler with comfort and gives them someone to blame if they’ve done something wrong. Play along and don’t make a big deal out of it, the imaginary friend will disappear over time.
Play
Life is a lot of fun for your nearly three-year-old and their busy mind will need a lot of stimulation. Nurture their budding imagination with role play and dressing up and choose toys that require greater dexterity such as bead stringing, puzzles, playdough, and building bricks in different shapes and sizes. Budding artists will enjoy drawing and they should be able to copy simple shapes and cut paper with child-friendly scissors.
Growing independence
Encourage your little one to be independent by letting them wash their own hands and have a go at getting dressed. They might come down with their t-shirt on back to front or their trousers around the wrong way, but it’s all part of their learning. They’ll still need a bit of help to get some things right, especially if there are fiddly buttons or zips, but the more your child can do for themself now, the easier it will be when they get to kindergarten.
Drop the nap?
If it’s getting harder to persuade your little one to take a nap, it could be time to drop them. Instead, use the time for quiet activities such as coloring, reading, or doing a puzzle. That way, your child will still be getting some downtime. If they can’t make it through the day without asleep yet, don’t worry, let them rest – just try not to let them sleep for too long as it could affect bedtime and the amount that they sleep during the night (and we know you don’t want to start being woken in the night again!)
How are you feeling?
As your child nears the end of toddlerhood, their growing independence means they are happy to play on their own as well as with other children and they can do basic things for themself. It won’t be long before they’re off to kindergarten, so try to make the most of having them around. After all, however much they might frustrate you now, you’re going to miss them when they’re not around 24/7 – trust us!
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