health problems

toilet training

major task of toddlerhood

child must be ready to toilet train

education helps parents dispel misconceptions, establish expectations

26% of children by 24 months, 88% of children by 30 months

girls are developmentally ready 2-3 months before boys

late toilet training may lead to urinary incontinence later

nighttime bed wetting common in beginning

bowel training may happen before bladder

toilet training tips and tricks

appropriate clothing: pull ups or underwear

methods: brazelton child-oriented, American academy of pediatrics, Dr. spock’s, toilet training in a day intensive

books; occupies them

child involvement

setting a schedule

letting sit for 5-8 minutes

rewards

sibling rivarly

natural jealousy and resentment

happens at all ages; may be more pronounced in toddlers

do not hate the sibling; hates the change

more pronounced with the first born: “dethronement”

effects mother child interaction the most

sibling rivalry tips and tricks

talk

be realistic

introduce the idea of an infant

supervisor siblings

assure them the hard part will pass

encourage feeling sharing

one on one time

temper tantrums

asserting independence

may present as: lying on floor, kicking their feet, screaming, holding breath

inability to control emotions at this age

reasoning: child is ill, hungry, frustrated or tired, wants attention, to get what they want, or avoid doing something they do not want to do

75% last less than 5 minutes

temper tantrum tips and tricks

stay consistent: all caregivers, prioritize rules, develop consequences

ignore the behavior

realistic expectations

follow child routines

options

praise

common toddler fears

annihilation

going to sleep; monsters

animals

engines

strangers

may escalate in the preschool period

school readiness

no indicators for readiness

can be influenced by:
- social, emotional, and physical development
- health status
- ability and desire to learn
- life experiences
- family environment
- parental support

social maturation

developmental screening tools

school readiness tricks and tips: 5 R’s

read with the children daily

rhyme, play, and cuddle with the children daily

maintain family routines for meals, playtime, and sleeping

Reward the children with praise for successes

Establish strong, nurturing Relationships with the children

school readiness: preparing the child

be excited

be confident

introduce child

help the school understand the child

transitional objects

aggression

behavior that attempts to hurt a person or destroy property

hyper aggressive behaviors: refer to counseling or therapies

boys>girls

relational aggression: similar

biologic, sociocultural, and familial variables

hyper aggressive behavior examples

unprovoked physical attacks on other children and adults

destruction of others property

frequent intense temper tantrums

extreme impulsivity

disrespect

noncompliance

aggression tips and tricks

goal: teach socially acceptable behavior and the ability to control aggression

modeling behavior: parents act how they want child to act

encourage child to express feelings with alternate ways to express: pounding on clay, punching bag

restrain out of control children

be consistent

no physically aggressive discipline

time out or solitary play

talk to providers with concerns

stuttering

speech development occurs between 2 and 4 years of age

failure to master sensorimotor integration

child is trying to say the word they are already thinking

common in children 2-5 years old

common causes: hearing deficits, developmental delay, physical conditions

stuttering treatment

prevention and early detection

speech evaluation (if doesn’t stop on own): persists for 3-6 months, family history, evidence of struggling or distress

parents should: speak slowly and relaxed, refrain from interrupting the child’s speech, resist completing the child’s sentences, take time to listen attentively, do not place undue emphasis

stress

limited capacity to cope

fears are innate and stem from a unique perspective

minimize stress develop effective coping skills

some stressors: school, birth of siblings, marital discord, relocation, illnesses(chronically sick)

stress tips and tricks

be aware of signs and symptoms; high HR and fatigue

help identify the source

monitor stress and try to minimize

structured schedule

relaxation and imagery

storytelling

encourage feelings

play for expressing anger or frustration

common pre school fears

imaginative fear

animism: inanimate objects

annihilation: loss of body parts

parent-induced fears

relinquish many of these fea

overcoming fear

don’t force

allow the child’ to be gradually introduced to fears

using dolls as an example

severe fears may need professional help

rewards given for “bravery” and not being afraid

use in clinical settings to reduce fears

successful training programs for stress includes

muscle relaxation

guiding imagery

positive self talk or recitation of brave statements

thought stopping, or repetition of reassuring statements that block fearful thoughts