1 1/2 Years - 2 Years
Help me be healthy
At this checkup:
- I will be weighed and measured.
- I will be tested to see how well I hear and see.
- You may be asked to describe how I play and what I like to do.
- You may be asked to describe what I eat and how much food I eat. Some doctors suggest that a cholesterol screen be done now. What does my doctor think?
I know you are getting tired of changing the diapers. You would really like me to use the toilet. Don't rush me. It will be easier to teach me how to use the toilet if you wait until I can tell you that I am wet. Be patient.
Play with me. It helps me learn.
- Play "Dress Up" and "Telephone" with me. Help me pretend.
- Say nursery rhymes and sing songs with me.
- Help me put puzzles together and build with shoes boxes.
- Let me play in front of a mirror.
- Show me how to use things we have around the house. Let me use a broom or mixing spoon.
- Take me on walks and let me look, listen, and touch.
- Find a playmate for me. Have another child come over or take me to a community play group. This way, I can learn to play with other children.
- Offer me choices. I can tell you if I want to wear red or blue today or if I want a banana or cracker.
- Play with a pan of water or sand so I can pour, scoop, and dig.
- Point at different objects and tell me the color of the object. Soon I will be able to tell you what color they are.
- Play some music so we can dance.
- Talk with me before I go to bed. Let's talk about what happened today and what's going to happen tomorrow.
Help me feel good about myself. Here are some ideas:
- I will copy your words. Use only words that you want me to say.
- I like to be told when I have done a good job.
- Hug me, cuddle me, and tell me that you love me.
- Thank me if I have been helpful.
- Tell me what to do, rather than what not to do.
- Listen to what I have to say and answer my questions.
- Tell me how well I am doing when I am doing what you want me to do. For example, when I cover my mouth when I cough, say "I'm glad you covered your mouth when you coughed."
Help me be safe
- My house may be safe for me. What happens when we go visiting? Keep me in your sight so I don't get into any safety problems. Take some toys with me so I don't have to go exploring.
- If someone comes to visit us, put the visitor's pocketbook or bag in a place where I can't reach it. There could be some pills and other things in there that I should not have.
- Are there any doors that I could lock? Could I get locked in the bathroom? Is there a way that you could get me out? An outside lock release on the bathroom door would solve that problem.
Watch for me to
- use a fork or spoon when I eat. I can get most of the food in my mouth.
- undress myself and take off my jacket, pants, and shirt.
- pretend to do things. I will try to feed a doll or my stuffed animals using a bottle or spoon.
- run.
- make a tower of four blocks.
- point to the picture in a book if you ask me to find something. For example, "Show me the dog."
- use at least six different words.
- point to two different body parts when you ask me where they are. For example, Where's your mouth?
- walk up the stairs all by myself! I will have to hold onto the wall or railing.
- kick a ball forward.
You can see what I am able to do from these lists. I may be a little early on some activities and a little late on some others. If you are concerned, though, you could talk to my doctor or nurse. If I have been sick a great deal or my doctor has explained a reason for me to take longer to do the items on these lists, understand that I will learn the skills. I will probably learn them in the order that they are listed in this calendar; however, I will do them at an older age.