Teaching Manners with Toddlers and Preschoolers

You can share this fun link 

“Street Story: Gotcha!” video 

from “Sesame Street” on the subject manners.

I know . . . tough subject with this age group. So how can we teach toddlers and preschoolers how to use good manners?

Children learn by example. They notice and pay attention to their environment. We as adults can set the example of how to use good manners in different ways:

• when we are talking to family members in the home

• when we are in public exchanging conversation with the cashier, in traffic (ha ha), talking to neighbors, at an event, or at the park

• when we are in a public place that is expected for us to use our “indoor voice" like: restaurants, the library, or church

• when we are sharing things in the home: it’s fun to play act with an older toddler or preschooler in how to share toys with a sibling or friend

Need more input on social skills and sharing? View my book Precious Years Leaps & Bounds

Now available online through Amazon,Barnes & Noble,Sony,Kobo and will soon be available in iBookstore.

 

*Iva

 (Click here) Vote for Precious Years Blogger on Top Baby Blogs

What does an infant area look like?

You may wonder what I mean by "infant area". What does an infant area look like? 

I usually only have one infant in the infant area while the older toddlers are playing nearby. They usually hang out in this area until they start the crawling stage. Here is a picture of what I typically have setup for infants to roam around.

I'd love to hear what parents, grandparents, and or providers are using as a play area for their infant. Have ideas to share?

*Iva

(Click here) Vote for Precious Years Blogger on Top Baby Blogs 

Tummy Time for Infants

While an infant is engaged in exploring in the infant area throughout the day, I move the little one around for different exposures. I move him/her from the bouncy seat, to tummy time, to lap time (one-on-one time with infant and me), and an ExerSaucer.

Why is tummy time so important?

Tummy time is good for two main reasons:

1) For their brain development - as they explore with their senses.

2) For their muscle development – as they are strengthening their muscles by moving around.

I give infants ample opportunities to explore. This is encouraged to learn how to push up while lying on his/her tummy, rolling over from tummy to back and back to tummy, scooting or reaching for a toy, getting up on his/her hands and knees and sitting up on his/her own. It’s important to have that interaction with you as well as exploring independently in a safe infant area.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

*Iva

(Click here) Vote for Precious Years Blogger on Top Baby Blogs