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January 2007
And It Came to Pass II - Celebrating Milestones with your Toddler
Mrs. Donna - North Canton
  This is the way we put on our shoes,
Put on our shoes
Put on our shoes…
Ah…“The Mulberry Bush!” How I treasured that song years ago as I dress our toddler! Little did I know that this song and play filled interaction used while meeting her physical needs was doing more to develop her skills and prepare her for life than any “academic drill” could do.
According to the web site zerotothree.org, “What your baby needs most is you. Nothing else can replace the power of what your child learns as he explores the world and shares his discoveries during everyday moments with you.”1 Research in Infant Mental Health, an area of science that “describes how a child is developing socially and emotionally during the first three years of life”, shows that it’s more important for a child to be emotionally prepared for kindergarten than academically prepared.2 Those whose needs have been reliably met, who have been kept safe, whose parents have taken time to nurture a bond and relationship with them are best prepared for school.
Rather than pushing our children to achieve, the best approach is to simply “celebrate” what happens daily with your child. As you “celebrate” and play together, your child naturally thirsts for learning and will move toward reaching his/her fullest potential.
Here are some “everyday moments,” better known as developmental milestones, to watch for and ways to “celebrate” these moments with your toddler.
| Milestone |
“Celebrate” |
| Toddler walks independently |
Applaud, “Yea!” Smile! |
| Walks up and down stairs with help |
Count steps and Hug at the top. |
| Jumps in place |
Join in, singing, “I am jumping, jumping, jumping...” |
| Kicks a large ball |
Make a game, you catch and pitch. |
| Scribbles on Paper |
Save “art” in a baby book or display on the refrigerator. |
| Responds rhythmically to music |
Sing! Live singing is good for language and musical development, and it’s just plain fun!
Play various types of music at home, Dance with your little one |
| Carries out one or two step directions |
Sing “instruments away, instruments away...” or “Socks away…” or “Brush your teeth…” |
| Uses single words with meaning |
Listen and get excited. Sing using the new word. |
| Gestures/ uses “baby signs” to make wants known |
Learn and use signs....this makes
communication easier and enhance spoken language skills |
| Demands personal attention |
That’s o.k....a relationship is developing, too. Give positive feedback, “I will read with you as soon as I finish loading the dishwasher.” |
| Insists on doing a task herself, “I can do it” |
Let her. Encourage her. These aren’t “bad” words but words to be celebrated. She’s learning to be independent. |
In considering child development, Jo Kirk, founder of WeJoySing, Inc. makes this analogy: “Which tomato would you rather have? The one that has been “hot housed,” raised in a greenhouse, artificially ‘pushed’ into maturing, or, the one that has grown over time, in a garden, sun-ripened to a nice bright color and rich flavor?” Children who have been “hot-housed,” pushed in their development, miss out on the beauty and flavor of the natural growth process.
WeJoySing “celebrates” these everyday moments with you! Take home the activities and songs that you learn in class. Remold them to fit your “everyday moments” at home. That’s what we are all about - experience the JOY of everyday living. The moments of these days are fleeting, and all too soon these years will have “come to pass.”
A Note From Mrs. Jo
Take time in this New Year to stop and enjoy everyday moments with your family. Hug and play with your little one today! Blessings from the WeJoySing family to yours!
"Sing"cerely,
Mrs. Jo
Notes:
1,2 zerotothree.org, November, 2006
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