Changes

It dawned on me today just how MUCH Charlotte & Will have changed since October. It amazes me how fast they are growing. Both of them are really becoming unique individuals with their own set of nuances ! I thought it would be good to let you know a little more about the specific changes that I am seeing, and the strategies I plan to take. I have been reading a lot about this stage in their development, and am finding it very helpful. All of the resources have told me that toddlers thrive on predictability and routine. I am trying to implement a more predictable schedule for them, and am working on thinking of some more fun activities that will aid in their development of new skills (ex - gross motor, fine motor, communication, social, etc.) I will make a list of some activities that I would like to do with them, and you can feel free to make suggestions or comments !

Here's an update:

Will's newest thing ( which he did today ) is to tip his bottle of milk or water upside down and let the liquid spill onto the floor, and then play with it! I remember not too long ago when I wouldn't even be able to take a bottle out of his mouth because he just HAD to drink it immediately !! Now he is more concerned with playing with it more than the actual drinking.

I think that both him and Charlotte are starting to really enjoy new sensory experiences ( hence playing with milk. ) Charlotte really enjoys squishing things in between her fingers ! I would really like to set up some activities around this new found interest :) They both also really love to drop bath toys into a tub of water and watch them SPLASH !

Charlotte's newest thing is her LOVE for dancing ! As soon as I put music on she moves to the beat. She really loves to stomp her feet and to spin and spin until she gets dizzy ! Will likes to move to music as well, but he has his own cute way of dancing. He will usually nod or shake his head, and bend his legs and bounce. They both really seem to love salsa music ! ( I found a latin channel on the sirius radio :)

Every day Charlotte & Will are becoming more and more responsive, and more ACTIVE ! I do a lot of chasing these days heehee ( which is a great work out by the way ! ) Along with these changes, they are also becoming a lot more independent and a little more demanding. If they want things ( or don't want things ), they tell you ! I am trying to teach them patience and how to communicate effectively by pointing or gesturing rather than whining or grabbing. I also try to communicate with them through language and touch in order for them to develop good communication skills. Some examples of this are:

- Explaining to them WHY they can't play with certain things rather than just taking them away
- Using a soft or soothing voice and touch when demonstrating certain things such as being "gentle" or being "calm"
- Talking to them about feelings like happiness, anger, frustration ( "I know it's frustrating for you when the blocks fall down")
- Allowing them to try and solve problems on their own before stepping in, but also letting them know that I will help them if they need it
- Trying to teach them kindness and empathy ("When you do that, it hurts me... ouch!" "Can you give Will a hug? He is sad")

I find that although they don't have that much language thus far, they are really learning how to communicate ( especially with one another ). When William goes for a nap each morning Charlotte insists on saying "nigh nigh" and giving him a kiss through the crib !!! :)

That reminds me .... I wanted to just list a few routines that I have started that Will & Charlotte seem to enjoy ! I find that doing these same little things each day eases them through transitional times such as naps, feeding, etc.

- Before naptime, I tell William and Charlotte several times that it will be time for a rest soon. This way they are not caught off guard. ( I do this before every transition such as lunch and going for a walk.) Me and Charlotte always put William down for a nap together. We say goodnight out the window and shut the blinds, then turn on the noise machine. I rock Will to sleep in my arms and sing him a song. Then I put him in his crib and Charlotte says goodnight and gives him a kiss. We turn out the light, and shut the door. I find this really helps Charlotte especially to get ready for her nap aswell.

- Before Charlotte sleeps I wrap her in a blanket and sing to her on the rocking chair. I started doing this in order to help soothe her when we changed houses, and now I think she really looks forward to it. She no longer cries, and falls asleep in my arms within 5 mins :) She also seems to sleep more soundly since I have started doing this.

- I always tell Charlotte and Will what we are having for lunch, and I ask them to smell the food before they eat it. I think food is a great sensory experience!

- Even though they don't answer, I always ask them a lot of questions about the environment around them, the way they feel, etc.

I think there may be a few more, but that's all I can think of right now! I will keep updating you as time passes.

Well, I guess that is all for now. I hope it wasn't too lengthy of a post ! This afternoon I am hoping to walk down to bloor west village and check out the Runnymede Library since I have never been there and I think it looks cute!