| Did you know that playing with homemade toys | | | | A refillable pump soap dispenser is easier for your |
| can help toddlers build the muscles in their fingers? | | | | toddler to use than a bar of soap, and a small |
| Here's how! | | | | plastic cup fits in the toddler's hand. Keep the |
| - Design a simple puzzle for your toddler by gluing | | | | child's toothbrush where he or she can reach it. |
| an interesting picture to a cardboard and cutting it | | | | - Oftentimes toddlers imitate chores such as |
| into five or six pieces. It's easy and cost-efficient! | | | | sweeping or mopping the floor, mixing up a |
| - Engage your toddler in playing with dress-up | | | | beverage or simply switching off the electric fan. |
| clothes with buttons and zippers. | | | | Allow and not hinder their desire, for as long as it |
| - Allow him or her to enjoy tearing those scrap | | | | is safe. It will be easy to just say, "You're too |
| papers of yours. Over an empty basin or box, | | | | little to do that" or "Marurumihan ka!" But |
| probably. It will make for easier clean-up! | | | | remember that words such as those are |
| - Make play dough that your toddler can roll, | | | | discouraging and spirit-dampening. Let them give it |
| pound, and squeeze. Here's how: mix together 2 | | | | a try. Sure, the task will take longer to do but it is |
| cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, and 1 | | | | confidence-building for him or her. |
| tablespoon of vegetable oil. Put food coloring in | | | | Toddlers learn most experientially. They learn |
| the water if desired. Add more flour if the dough | | | | about writing by scribbling, watching you write, |
| is sticky. Store in an air-tight plastic bag or | | | | and seeing words around them. |
| container until it is not sticky anymore. Wooden | | | | - Look for inexpensive large pads of paper and |
| popsicle sticks and cookie cutters may be used | | | | large, nontoxic crayons, and washable markers. |
| instead of real knives that may come out to be | | | | Save scrap paper and paper bags. Keep a supply |
| unsafe. | | | | of drawing and writing materials where your |
| - Remember to keep safe all the time! Let an | | | | toddler can reach them. |
| older toddler use safe kitchen tools--a wooden | | | | - Invite your toddler to get some paper and |
| spoon, plastic knives and forks, to use with play | | | | crayons so you can write together. The child will |
| dough. | | | | learn about writing by watching you make a list, |
| Provide and allow the kids to do simple chores. | | | | sign a check, or do a crossword puzzle. The child |
| Toddlers use the muscles in their fingers and | | | | might even begin to scribble after observing. His |
| hands to do things for themselves. | | | | or her scribbles are a way of copying what you |
| - Follow a basic schedule and stick to it. Planning | | | | are writing. |
| your day allows time for your toddler to wash, | | | | - Point to written words around you and read |
| dress, and feed him- or herself. The child may | | | | them out loud to your toddler. "Here comes our |
| take longer to put on sneakers than you do, but | | | | bus. It says 'Baguio' on the front. That's where |
| him saying, "Me do it!" or "Ako na!" are markers | | | | we're going." "The speed limit reads 40 kph. Forty |
| of pride. | | | | is four-zero. |
| - Arrange your home in a toddler-friendly manner. | | | | |