Toddler life hacks

Toddlers are at a very sensitive age for physical independence. It is natural to want to take care of them, yet sometimes giving the freedom and space to do things by themselves is a gift that not only makes them happy, but also support their overall development, confidence and sense of self.

Eating and drinking

A child who can walk is old enough to feed themselves, with fingers, spoon and fork. We recommend an open cup (a shot glass or espresso cup are just the right size) over a sippy, and never a bottle with a nipple. A two-year old might still need a bit of help with the knife, but they can practice on soft food like potatoes or dumplings.

Cleaning up

Toddlers are great at making messes, but they love cleaning too. If nothing else, toddlers should be responsible for putting things away: dishes in the sink, toys on the shelf, laundry in the hamper… it’s both good exercise and good habits.

Toddlers also can (and love to!) mop and wipe spills; sweep; water plants; wash things in a bucket or pail; mop the resulting spills; and so on.

Making choices about their day

You might not let your toddler choose their wardrobe or diet but they benefit greatly from making small decisions, like – corn or peas with dinner? Blue or red shirt? Walk or drive their bike to the park? They key is to offer a few neutral options and accept your child’s decision, let‑ ting them see that they and their opinions are appreciated and respected.

Dressing and undressing

Starting slow, a very young child can help by pulling up pants, inserting their arms and legs into sleeves and leg holes, and pulling off their shoes. With some trial and error, they will figure out the rest before you know it! It helps to avoid clothing with small buttons or snaps placed where the child cannot do or even see them, and instead look for Velcro, large buttons and zippers.

What's the easiest way for a young child to put their jacket on by themselves? See the step-by-step process in the gallery below!

By Michaela Tučková

Want to learn more? Read our next article:

TOP 3 WINTER ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS

Gallery
Comments

Další články

Mindful Walks and Experiential Learning in Elementary

Maria Montessori used to walk through the forests in India pulling leaves from trees to teach about their function and structure, digging in the soil to demonstrate the ubiquitousness of life, examining root systems and connecting them to academic ideas.

Reading from a Young Age Matters

A picture is the first content of a book that a child can „read“. Thanks to pictures, a child can understand a story without knowing how to read, interpreting the main figures/animals, the environment, and the situations from the visuals. From illustrated facial expressions and body language the child can also tell emotions. Enjoying a good book raises a love and passion that is necessary for prereading skills.

IMSP Podcast: Meet Alumna Karolína Muchová

This week, our host Mariana Bečková chats with IMSP alumna Karolína Muchová. Born and raised in Prague, Karolína always knew she wanted to pursue her university education abroad. Press play to learn how IMSP prepared her for a rigorous high school experience and eventually, her choice to enroll at the University of Chicago in the United States. Between authentic one-on-one support and a personalized curriculum designed by IMSP teachers, Karolína shares how her experience with Montessori set her up for success as she spread her wings around the globe.

IMSP PODCAST: MEET ALUMNA Laura van Steeg

“At IMSP, we were always taught how to speak to people, to be mindful, to listen to one another, and that really helped when it came to making new friends. Once you have friends, everything else is simple. Everything else, you can figure out.

IMSP Toddlers: Help Me to Do It Myself

One of the key concepts and skills that Montessori education develops in different ways and from different perspectives through the entire childhood and through the entire educational process is independance.