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WALKING..

13-14 Months

TALKING….

...PLAYING

...CRUISING

Oshkosh - 920-233-6630 Appleton - 920-831-1132 Menasha - 920-739-4226

DEVELOPMENTS This month your toddler may... • Pull self up to a standing position. • Get into a standing position. • Cruise around the house (moving from place to place, always holding on). • Clap hands (play “patty-cake”). • Indicate wants in ways other than crying. • Wave bye-bye. • Stand alone. • Put an object into a container. • Begin saying mama and dada intentionally. • Follow simple, one word verbal commands. • Begin to walk well on her own. • Bend over and pick up an object. ENCOURAGING ACTIVITIES • Begin to expand your toddler’s experiences. Take your toddler to the zoo and talk to him with

simple words. Follow-up the zoo trip by reading a book about animals. • To help your child develop her own speech, keep talking to your child. Talk about what you see

and what your child sees while driving or walking. • Ask your toddler questions and give him an opportunity to answer you. • It is important not to mimic the cute “baby words” that your toddler may say. It will benefit

her more if you help her learn the correct words. • Once your toddler begins to speak more clearly, you may want to begin to allow him to talk to

family and friends on the telephone. TODDLER HINTS • When it’s time to pick up the toys, make cleaning up a game. Play music and tell your toddler to

work to get all the toys picked up before the end of the song. • Put any breakable items in a cupboard, or out of reach of your toddler. • Never leave your toddler unsupervised. • Catch her being good--reinforce your child’s positive behavior. • Your toddler is at a clumsy stage. To help minimize your child’s injuries from falls, have your

child do most of her walking on carpeted surfaces. • Check for sharp corners where your child spends most of his time and cover or remove them. • Toddlers may begin to crawl out of their cribs, so make sure your child’s crib mattress is at its

lowest level.

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Mommy and Daddy “Time Outs” Raising a toddler can sometimes make you feel really uptight. Every month, your child is becom-ing more and more of a challenge. It’s hard to be the one who is always responsible. Your body may get tense and you may feel like screaming or hitting something. When you think you just can’t stand it one more second, stop. Take a “time out.” Here are a few “time out” things to try:

• Close your eyes and take long, deep breaths. • Make sure your child is in a safe place, then close yourself in a room for just a few min-

utes until you calm down. • Tell those around you that you’ve reached your limit and you need to end the argument

right now. • Ask a friend or relative to watch your child for a short time.

When you take time out to handle your stress, you’re doing yourself and your baby a big, big favor. Besides saving your child from painful words and actions, you’ll be showing your child a positive way to handle stress. Information adapted from-www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/GrowYears/4230.htm

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a normal part of your toddler's emotional development, but it can be diffi-cult to deal with, both for parent and toddler. As she becomes more cognizant of her surround-ings, your toddler may become upset when you are not within her eyesight. Whether you are simply in another room or at the supermarket, she has noted your absence. She may then be-come agitated or fearful even when you are in the room with her, because she is afraid you will "disappear" once more. A toddler experiencing separation anxiety may be reduced to screaming and crying or throwing a temper tantrum, which can be equally frustrating and upsetting for the parent. Here are some ways you can help your toddler, and yourself, deal with separation anxi-ety:

• Stay with her until she becomes familiar with a new place or person. • Tell her calmly you know she doesn't want you to leave. Reassure her you will be back. • Tell her Mommy or Daddy will be back after naptime or at dinnertime, even if she can't

tell time. Be sure to keep your word. • Let her have her favorite blanket or other "lovey" for comfort. Some children like one of

Mom's sweaters or another familiar possession they can keep until you return. • Avoid leaving your child when she is hungry, tired, or sick. • Never tease or scold her for her upset feelings. • Never sneak away without telling her at all. • Don't bribe her not to cry.

Information adapted from-http://www.quakeroatmeal.com/toddler/ParentsGuide/article.cfm?ArticleID=102

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I AM THIRTEEN TO FOURTEEN MONTHS

Dear Mom and Dad: I am an accident waiting to happen. I may fall frequently or spill easily but there is nothing wrong with my coordination. I pay more attention to what’s going on around me, than where I’m going. I love to explore and just looking doesn’t satisfy me anymore. If you don’t want me to touch it, please put it out of my reach. I like to feed myself and things may get a little messy, so please be patient with me. If I haven’t already, I’d like to try drinking cow’s milk out of a cup. SPEECH & LANGUAGE: Listen to me carefully. It may be hard for you to understand me at times, but con-tinue to help me with this difficult thing they call talking. To get me to talk, you need to talk. So keep talking, singing and reading to me. I know it’s tempting to mimic my cute words, but hearing you talk “baby” talk will only hinder my speech. PLAYING: Play is my world. It is an essential part of growing up. Just by letting me play, I will learn about the world around me. As I play, I will build my self-esteem and gain im-portant social skills. FEEDING:

Put a small amount of my favorite beverage (like milk and juice) into a cup and of-fer it to me before the breast and the bottle. I may love to drink out of the cup right away, but don’t be surprised if I push it away.

You might also want to know that I don’t eat as much as I did when I was an infant. I’ve got a lot of other things to do, and I’m always on the run. So a drop in my appetite is not a cause for alarm, it’s perfectly normal.

SLEEPING: I need approximately 13 and a half hours of sleep daily. Every child is different, so you can judge by me and not the clock. The best way to determine if I’m getting enough sleep is to observe my behavior. If I’m cranky or just physically slowing down, I’m proba-bly tired and need a rest. DISCIPLINE: It’s okay to set some limits for me, as long as they’re clear, fair and reasonable. This makes me feel loved and secure. As I get older I will realize that you’ve made rules because you care about my safety and our home. It’s important for you and Dad to com-municate to each other about how I will be disciplined. Remember it is important to be consistent with me so I don’t get confused.

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How I Get Along with Others:

• I love to have people watch me, and I like to hear them clap for me; I’m beginning to do cute things just to get your attention.

• Sometimes I show I love you with hugs and kisses. • I still like to keep my mother and father in sight when I’m exploring. • I’m beginning to adjust to babysitters, but I’m still shy with strangers. • I like to have you play with me. • Sometimes I drop things just to get you to pick them up for me. • I don’t like playing in a room by myself very much. • I may have tantrums and throw things when I’m angry or frustrated.

What I Can Do for Myself:

• If you help me, I can hold a cup and drink from it. • I like taking off my hat, shoes, socks and pants, but I can’t put them back on. • I can hold a spoon, but I probably can’t eat with it yet. • I like to feed myself with my hands and smear food on my face and everything I can

reach. • I can open and close doors.

Play I Enjoy:

• I like to push a rolling toy and put things in piles. • I can play alone, but mostly I like to play with you; especially chase-me, catch-me, find-

me games and gentle rough-housing. • I like putting little things in big things. • I like to listen to music and dance to it. • I’m beginning pretend play, like driving, cleaning and cooking.

Reminder that books are very important Here is a list of recommended books for toddlers

• The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle • The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle • Good night moon by Margaret Wise Brown • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen • Old McDonald had a Farm by Nancy Hellen • Mary had a Little lamb by Sarah Hale • Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow • Here are my hands by Bill Martin

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Playtime for Your 13-14 Month Old

Playing with containers Use baskets, plastic bowls, or boxes and fill the containers with oversized blocks. Your child will enjoy dumping the containers. Eventually, she will begin to take the objects out one at a time.

Taking things out of other things Your child may enjoy taking clothes out of a laundry basket or emptying the dishwasher.

Playing with pots and pans or plastic containers Allow your child to play with these items while you are in the kitchen fixing meals or doing dishes. He will enjoy making noise with the objects, so be prepared. At first, the noise may become bothersome, but it helps to keep your toddler occupied while you are getting some household chores done. (Remember to rinse the dishes he plays with before using them for food purposes.)

Playing “catch” Sit across from your child on the floor. Roll an oversized ball back and forth to her. Hide and Find Use a sandbox to play a game of hide and find in the sand. Hide his toys in the sand and let him find them. Begin by only covering part of the toy with sand, eventually he will be able to look for toys that are completely covered with sand.

Building a Tower

Purpose of the Game: To help your child build a tower by herself so that she can understand that things can be combined to make other things. How to Play: Sit on the floor or at a table by your child. Place blocks in a pile in front of you and your child. Build a tower with two or three of the blocks. Don’t knock down the tower. Take it down, one block at a time. Ask your child to make another tower. If your child doesn’t start to make another tower, hand the child a block and say, “See, we can put one on top of the other.” When your child puts one block on top of another, say, “You can do it.”

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Playtime (Cont)

Pop Goes the Weasel

Purpose of the Game: To help your child listen for a special signal and act on it. Your child will learn to listen for the “POP” and jump up without help when she hears it.

How to Play: Sit facing your child on the floor or on low chairs. Sing to your child:

“All around the carpenter’s bench The monkey chased the weasel, The monkey thought ‘twas all in fun! POP, goes the weasel.”

As you sing POP, take your child’s hands and pull the child up. Then sit your child back down as you complete “goes the weasel.”

*****Remember: Children at this age still need to be watched constantly. They are very curi-ous and accidents tend to occur when they are unsupervised.

Your child is learning through play. Your child is going to love to play with you and others also. There are some things to remember while playing with your child and watching your child play. Remember that your child’s attention span is short and when he/she does not want to play anymore let him/her do so. Rules of play * Watch your child without interrupting. This will allow you to observe his/her skill levels and interests.

* While playing with your child, play at his/her level and also let your child lead the activity.

* Try not to teach complicated ideas too quickly, your child may become confused and frustrated.

* Ask your child what he/she is doing. Remember not to pass judgment.

* After playing a while with your child you can try to introduce a more difficult stage of play. An example is if your child can put together a two-piece puzzle, try one with three pieces.

* Every once and awhile stop playing with your child and watch him/her play. Watch how your child explores his/her new activity.

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Child Proofing Your Home General Safety Guidelines

Child proofing is not a one time thing. Here are some more ideas for older children.

• Install smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and near kitchen. Check them every month and replace the batteries twice a year.

• Install a carbon monoxide detector unless your home is all electric. • Post emergency numbers near the phone: Poison control Doctor Police Fire Ambulance Neighbor Relative • Place electrical cords behind furniture or use a cord shortener. • Cover all unused electrical outlets with outlet covers. • Place window blind cords out of reach, cut all loops or put break-away covers on the cords. • Check to make sure your mini blinds are lead-free by checking the packaging. • Don’t place furniture in front of windows. • Install locks that prevent windows from opening more than 5 inches, or install window

guards. • Keep telephone cords out of child’s reach • Block off all stairs with a safety gate. Place one on the top step and another 2-3 steps up

from the bottom. • Prevent burns and scalding by turning water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees or

lower. • Lock up guns and ammunition and hide the key, or even better remove from the house. • Never leave small objects laying around that can choke a child. Example: coins, pens,

safety pins, jewelry, anything that can fit inside a toilet paper roll. • It is recommended to keep a bottle of Syrup of Ipecac (which induces vomiting) on hand.

Do not use until you check with the poison control center. • Plan a fire escape route and practice with your children. Have a safe place to meet after

leaving the home. Baby’s Room • Crib should be standard sized and conform to current government safety standards.

Cribs from the 1970’s or before are likely to have safety problems. • The diaper pail should have a latching lid, to keep baby out. • Never leave your baby alone on the changing table. They can roll off in an instant. Use

the safety strap if you have one.

Mr.Yuk stickers may be obtained by sending a stamped. Self addressed envelope to: Children’s Hospital Poison Center 900 W. Wisconsin Ave. P.O. Box 1997 Milwaukee, WI 53201

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Child-Proofing the kitchen Use back burners when possible and turn pot handle inward. Keep hot foods, sharp or heavy objects away from the edge of the table and counter. Install a stove lock or guard. Remove tablecloths from table. Put appliances out of reach. Store knives out of reach. Place cabinet and/or drawer locks on those containing dangerous products or utensils. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby (not over the stove). Lock away liquor; it is poisonous to baby. Keep animal food out of reach. Store the cat litter box where children cannot get to it. Bathroom Do not leave children under 2 alone in the bathroom. Lock away all medicines and personal products. Install a lock on the toilet. Use a faucet cover when bathing children in the tub. Keep electrical appliances away from tub and sink (curling iron, hair dryer, etc.). Never leave your child alone in the tub. Always test the water before placing your child in the tub. Living Room Remove all loose rugs, or place skid tape underneath. Remove the coffee table altogether or at least place padding at the corners. Secure tall, heavy bookcases or cabinets to the wall with L-brackets. Remove poisonous plants or hang out of child’s reach. Basement and Garage Have tools safely stored away. Paints, paint remover, varnishes should be stored away from the furnace and water heater, in a locked cabinet. Make sure your garage door opener has a safety mechanism which opens upon striking an object. Outside Never leave children unattended around a pool. Provide a gate with a child-proof lock. If your deck or porch had railings more than 3” apart, install safety mesh or plexiglass. Put stickers or decals on glass doors so children won’t crash into them.

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Finger Plays Round and Round the Garden

Round and round the garden like a teddy bear (swirl your index finger around palm of child's hand) One step, Two step (walk fingers up child's arm) Hidden under there! (tickle child's underarm) Roundabout Wee Mousey

Roundabout, roundabout, little wee mousey (swirl your index finger around palm of child's hand) Up the tree, up the tree (walk fingers up child's arm) Into the housey! (tickle child's underarm) Five Little Puppies

Five little puppies were playing in the sun. (hold up hands, fingers extended) This one saw a rabbit, and he began to run. (bend down first finger) This one saw a butterfly, and he began to race. (bend down second finger) This one saw a cat, and he began to chase. (bend down third finger) This one tried to catch his tail, and he went round and round. (bend down fourth finger) this one was so quiet, he never made a sound. (bend down thumb) Five Little Monkeys

(Begin with 5 fingers splayed and palm away from you, swinging hand to rhythm of verse...) Five little monkeys swinging from a tree, teasing Mr. alligator, you can't catch me, you can't catch me. (whisper) Along comes Mr. alligator, (Put palms together and slither hands like an alliga-tor) quiet as can be, and SNAPPED THAT MONKEY RIGHT OUTTA THAT TREE. (louder, and clap hands with the word SNAP) (Repeat with 4,3,2,1 monkeys) Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

(Begin with 5 fingers splayed and palm away from you, bouncing hand to rhythm of verse...) Five little monkeys Jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head (hold up one finger, then rub head) Mommy called the doctor and the doctor said," NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!" (Index finger out, shaking in chastising manner) Four little monkeys... etc. Information from-www.personal.engin.umich.edu/~ajdrake/toddler/open.htm

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Recipes for children with milk allergies Macaroni & “Cheese” Serves: 2-4 Preparation time: 1/2 hr. + baking time Ingredients: 2c. Macaroni 1 T soy margarine 1 T flour 3 c. soy milk 4 oz. Soymage chedder cheese subsitute (Important! Must use Soymage!) 1 small clove garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1 T minced parsley 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. White pepper paprika Cook pasta until barely tender; drain and set aside. Melt margarine in a saucepan and add flour. Slowly add the soy milk, constantly whisking the mixture. If the consistency is not thick enough, slowly sprinkle in some flour, starting with 1/2 T and adding more if necessary. Meanwhile, continue whisking. Add cheese, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Whisk until sauce is thick and smooth.

Peanut Butter Caterpillers Banana, sliced 2 tbsp peanut butter Grapes Spread banana slices with peanut butter and connect the slices. Add a grape up front for the head (“gluing” with more peanut butter). If desired, make this a game with the child. “What Veggie can we add to make antennas?” etc. (maybe a strip of celery or carrot.)

Ice ‘Cream’ 3 frozen overripe bananas Chocolate syrup Add bananas one at a time to food processor. Mix in chocolate. Use a little rice milk if ba-nanas are hard to mix.

Wiggly Finger Wonderfuls Makes 72 pieces. Each having 4 calories, 3 mg vitamin C and 0 mg sodium You can substitute grape juice or cranberry juice for the pineapple and orange juice. 3 packages unflavored gelatin 3/4 cup pineapple juice 1 cup boiling water 1 cup orange juice Soften gelatin in a little pineapple juice. Add 1 cup boiling water slowly, stirring constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Add remaining juices. Pour into 9 x 12-inch pan. Chill until set. Cut into finger length. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Happy Face Sandwiches Bread, Peanut butter, Raisins, Chocolate chips, Alfalfa or bean sprouts, squeeze cheese, other small food items. Spread peanut butter or squeeze cheese on one side of bread-open faced. Have child make eyes, nose, mouth and hair from other items provided. Encourage kids to be creative and eat what they cre-ate.

Fruit Shake 2 cups fruit 2 frozen overripe bananas 2 cups rice milk Blend fruit and rice milk in blender. Add ba-nanas one at a time. Blend each time until smooth. * Can be made with any fruit.

Recipes for Children Without

Information adapted from-http://www.thelaboroflove.come/house/kitchen/mm/html

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What you can Expect from your child

10 TIPS TO COPE WITH A FUSSY EATER 1. Try to find meals that the rest of

the family enjoys and where there are at least two things the fussy child will eat also.

2. Serve smaller portions of food to your child

3. Invite a child who is a good eater over for supper. A good example sometimes works but don’t comment on how much the visiting child has eaten.

4. Invite an adult who the child likes for supper, for example a grand-mother or friend. Sometimes a child will eat for someone else without any fuss at all.

5. Never force feed a child. 6. If your child is playing with the food

and won’t eat, quietly remove the plate without fuss and don’t offer dessert.

7. Try to make meal times enjoyable and talk about what the family has been doing.

8. Try limiting snacks and drinks be-tween meals so your child feels hun-grier when it is meal time.

9. Offer drinks after a meal so that they don’t spoil the appetite.

10. Offer new foods when you know your child is hungry and hopefully more receptive.

Helpful Hints • Write down the foods that your child has actu-

ally eaten over 3 to 4 days or even up to a week. (May find a link between the foods your child eats and the time of day.

• Make the meal a special event to distract the child from eating worries. Some suggestions are to have a dolls’ or teddies tea party, make a camp under the dining table and a picnic at the park.

• Get your child to help you cook the food. • Give praise that makes your child feel success-

ful at eating healthy foods. Your child is learn-ing that he/she is worth something, this is very important.

• Let your child see a new food a few times. Then see if you can get them to taste it, even if they don’t swallow it.

• Serve a very small amount of a new food next to a favorite food.

Information Adapted by Cooking For Babies And Toddlers; Author Sara Lewis (1999)

• Expect that your child will use food to try to get some control over his/her world. Expect some battles. Try not to be too strict or too easy.

• Expect children to eat small amounts of food. Are they growing well?

• Expect children to want candy, chips and sweet drinks instead of healthy food and milk. You must set limits and make rules. It’s part of your job.

• Expect your child to be almost too busy to eat from about 2 to 4 years old. Do things slow to slow them down before meals. Try a story or quiet time.

Information adapted by Louisiana WIC Program

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• Toddlers begin to start to discover their genitals and begin to notice sex differences. • Its normal for a toddler to touch his/her genital areas, it feels good to them. • Children touch themselves for physical and emotional comfort. • Your child may touch his/her genitals when he/she gets tired, angry, and bored. • Questions about the names of genital areas may be asked. • Your toddler may ask the question where do babies come from? • During this time your child may like being naked. • Your toddler will start to understand the differences of boys and girls and point them out.

• As a parent you need to respond in a way that is comfortable to you. • You can choose to ignore or minimize the behavior realizing that your child will understand

more about modesty later as he/she gets older. • You may redirect your toddler to a different activity. • You can talk to a pediatrician and ask questions about how to respond to your toddler. • As a parent it is important to provide emotional and physical comfort to your toddler. Some

examples are cuddling, hugging, and making positive comments. • Answer your child’s questions the same way every time. • Use correct terms and words for body parts.

Information adapted by The Creative Curriculum for Infants & Toddlers; Authors Amy Laura Dombro, Laura J. Colker and Diane Trister Dodge

Parents Response

Printing of this curriculum is courtesy of the Affinity Health System