The child of 2 years and 7 months
Has your child already decided on which hand he likes best to use, right or left handed? It is in this period, between 2 and 3 years, when motor coordination is more in tune and he can hold and play things more safely, that happens.
This choice, however, is different from the others that the child will want to take, as it is determined by genetics and the brain. The right side of the brain controls the left hand and the left, the right.
In the past, there was a huge prejudice against left-handed people and many children were forced to work with the opposite side of the brain. Nowadays, it is said that they are more intelligent, but it is very relative.
Whichever hand your child prefers to do things with, the important thing is to have the right stimulus at school and at home, so that he can develop new skills and discover skills.
Follow all the achievements at each stage, try to be part, when possible, and help your child at all times. Keep enjoying this progress, the results are even more positive and permanent.
Stimuli and Games
Activities other than television and apps are much better for development and creativity. A study in the United Kingdom has shown that children who draw, paint, dance and sing are also happier.
If your child has difficulty speaking or coordinating, schedule and involve him with games that serve as a stimulus. In fact, they are the same as when he was a baby, with some adaptations.
As an example, reading stories, which previously served to develop vision and hearing, now become a magical moment, when the child enters the world of imagination. Find a word with up to two syllables that are repeated and ask him to speak every time he appears.
A very old game that still entertains today is the hopscotch. Very easy to do and simple to play. If you are indoors, you can use masking tape to draw the squares and numbers. Coordination, balance, attention and learning numbers are improved.
How about making a cake with him? Don’t mind if you make a little, or even a lot, a mess. He can pour the cups of flour and mix the dough, or help pass the margarine into the pan. Other easy recipes to make with kids are cookies and cheese bread.
He can already help with some household chores. Keep the shoes in the closet, take the dirty clothes to the basket, put the toys in place, put the pet’s food, if you have one.
Food
Letting the child participate in the preparation of meals is an incentive when it comes to eating. Separate the easiest part, and of course, when you don’t need to use a knife or fire, like washing the salad.
Another way is to put together a menu. It can be daily or weekly. It is important to balance all types of food and talk to him about how each one helps “make you stronger and smarter”. Suggest a part of the menu, while it says another.
It is said that you eat with your eyes. For the child, this is also true. The presentation of a colorful and fun dish makes a big difference. Try to make a smiley face or make something more attractive.
Sleep
Daytime napping is becoming rarer and lasts much less time. Of course, this is not a rule, most children need this 1 to 2 hour rest time during the day, even between the recommended 12 to 14 hours of sleep.
Taking into account the fact of the particularity of each child, while some are very irritated and exhausted if they do not sleep, others do not even want to stop and, instead of being a time to relax, it becomes something stressful.
It is best to observe if the child looks tired and encourage him to take a nap, without forcing. Do your sleep routine with a calmer activity and talk to him about why it is important to get some sleep at that moment.
If the struggle to get you to sleep is still very big, set aside a period of the day to be a time of rest. Turn off the television, take the tablet or cell phone away and just lie on the bed and relax.