Kids Are Our Future

Child Safety First

As the child is becoming more mobile, more dangers he or she could encounter. Here are some suggestions to help keep growing toddler safe.

• Lock doors to dangerous places such as the garage, basement
• Place plug covers on all unused electrical outlets
• Keep kitchen appliances, such as irons, and heaters from the reach of the child
• Keep sharp objects such as knives, scissors in a safe place
• Lock up medicines, household cleaners and other chemicals
• Never leave the child alone in the car
• Remind the child not to put pencils or crayons in his or her mouth
• Keep the child away from water, such as bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, and the ocean, without someone watching him or her

Tips

• Read to the child daily as a routine
• Ask the child to find objects for you
• Play matching games together
• Talk with the child to help to develop his or her language
• Help the child to explore the surroundings
• Encourage the child to tell his or her name and age
• Teach the child simple songs

Movement

• Walk well
• Carry toys while walking
• Stand on tiptoe
• Bend over without falling
• Kick a ball
• Climb well
• Walk up and down stairs without assistance
• Run easily
• Pedal tricycle

Hand and Finger Skills

• Turn over container to pour out contents
• Build a tower of more than six blocks
• Hold a pencil in writing position
• Make up-and-down, side-to-side, and circular lines
• Turn book pages one at a time
• Screw and unscrew lids

Social and emotional

• Be aware of self and surroundings
• Understand concept of “mine” and “his/hers”
• Imitate behavior of others
• Like playing with other children
• Can take turns in games
• Express a wide range of emotions

Cognitive

• Show increasing independence
• Recognize self in pictures or a mirror
• Match an object in her hand or in a picture
• Sort objects by shape and color
• Complete puzzles with three or four pieces
• Understand concept of “two”

Language

• Identify almost all common objects
• Understand most sentences
• Understand placement in space, such as on, in, under
• Uses 4- to 5-word sentences
• Can say name, age, and sex
• Uses pronouns, such as I, you, and some plurals such as cats, dogs
• Follow simple instructions

Parents can help your young child’s language development using several ways.

To improve your parenting skills refers to Great Parenting Books.

Child safety first

As the child interact with the outside world more, it becomes more important to teach him or her some ways to stay safe. Here are a few ways.

• Teach the child how to deal with strangers, for example not to eat the strangers’ candy, not to follow strangers.
• Tell the child to stay out of traffic and remind him or her not to play in the street.
• Keep the child walk and ride his or her tricycle on the sidewalk.
• Check outdoor playground equipment and make sure they are safe.
• Keep watch over him or her when the child is playing outside.
• Teach the child to swim for water safety.
• Teach the child about electricity safety.
• Teach the child about fire safety.

Tips

• Continue to read to the child and nurture his or her love for books.
• Let the child help with simple chores.
• Encourage the child to play with other children and make friends.
• Use “adult” language to talk to the child.
• Be a role model.