Getting to Know Babies and Toddlers

Having a baby is the start of a most wonderful journey in a person's life. Babies bring with them the pleasures of watching a new individual grow and develop, the love that comes with concern and the awareness that someone needs you for everything.

A toddler's world grows rapidly between one to three years of age. This is a period of change for toddlers. The most crucial learning for children is that they are independent, separate people in these years.

It is important for babies to learn from their parents in the first few months that their world is secure and that there are people who will always look after them. They will know this only when their requirements of comfort, love, food and warmth are satisfied.

Parents need to play and cuddle with their babies when they are awake and alert. They need to hold and stroke them. It is necessary for parents to feed them whenever required, keep them warm, comfortable and clean.

It is necessary for a baby to learn that it is able to do things by itself such as making noise while shaking a rattle. Make it a point to talk to babies regarding what you are doing as you wash, change and feed it.

Toddlers on the other hand need:

1. Time to explore
2. Encouragement
3. Your patience
4. Comfort to be able to check out their freedom
5. To be allowed to choose according to their likes

Never force toddlers to be good. Only if they get your affection, love and approval will they be prepared to accept limits. Do not expect them to consider their daily routine work. Only daily practicing can enable them to remember.

Choosing Appropriate Toys:

Keep the following tips in mind while selecting toys for babies and toddlers:

1. Keep them simple:

Avoid purchasing toys, which do not allow babies and toddlers to use their own imagination. Stuffed animals and dolls, which sing, talk or direct children to press specific buttons generally, take charge of the situation when the child has to direct an action.

When a toy is very specific, it denies babies and toddlers to use their own imagination. The best toys are simple ones such as blocks since they enable children to be spontaneous and creative.

2. Set limits on electronic toys:

According to research, electronic toys result in many dangers for a child's development and health including weight gain, hearing loss and developmental and language delays. It is thus, necessary to set limits on the purchase of electronic toys.

In addition, electronic toys interfere with a child's learning to think independently since they endorse a passive learning style.

Nutrition For Babies And Toddlers:

It is never too early to create a foundation of healthy eating habits and good nutrition for babies and toddlers. They need sufficient number of calories and energy to fuel their play activities and various growth stages and there is no need for large portions.

Large portions overwhelm their appetites and are very big for their stomachs. Servings have to be quarter the size of a large portion. Make mealtime enjoyable and pleasant for children. The following are a few tips:

1. Plan a silent time before snacks and meals. Babies and toddlers eat properly if they are relaxed.

2. Respect the food preferences of babies and toddlers.

3. Offer food, which appeal to toddlers. They usually prefer unmixed, plain foods and finger foods, which make eating easier.

4. Offer a variety of nutritious foods.

5. When toddlers refuse to have more food, they mean it. Do not force them.