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Page 4
Page 5
Page 6Page 1
Dear Parent,
Isn’t it amazing how
fast children grow? Your child is almost three!
“Me do it!” is a common expression
at this age as your child strongly demands the right to become his own
person. Saying, “Let’s do it together” or “I
will help too” usually works better than “You can’t
do that” or “No, I’ll do it.”
Surprisingly, there are many things your
child can do by himself at this age. He can water plants. He can put
napkins on the table. It takes time and energy for you to show him how
to do a new job, but it’s worth the effort. Letting your child
help builds cooperation and confidence.
Professionals are not
always in agreement on specific child-rearing and feeding
recommendations. Consult your doctor if you receive conflicting information.
HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
HOW
I GROW
I have more bowel and bladder control.
I like filling, dumping and rolling things
I stack blocks and build things.
HOW I TALK
I understand more words than I can say.
I ask a lot of questions. “Why” is my favorite word.
I am beginning to carry a tune.
I am speaking more clearly, and people can understand most of the things I try to say.
I talk in three-to four-word sentences using correct word order such
as “Me go car.”
HOW
I RESPOND
I can play well alone.
I play alongside other children.
I like to watch other children playing.
I often throw things when I am playing with other children. I also hit, and sometimes I may bite. I do this to get what I want.
I like to hear my name used in stories.
I like to hear about what I was like as a baby.
I still take toys away from other children.
I can act out a simple story or rhyme.
I like finger play and action songs.
HOW I UNDERSTAND
I am more aware of the order in which events take place; first and last, before and after.
I can match colors and shapes.
I like to play make-believe.
I will notice if you skip a page when you read a favorite story. I
may insist that you read it the “right” way.
I like the same story day after day.
I can hold up two fingers to tell you how old I am.
We give equal time and space to both sexes in Keiki ‘O Hawai‘i! That’s why we take turns referring to babies as “he” or “she”. (In this issue, we use “he.”) When we refer to “he” or “she,” we are talking about all babies.
Page
3
• Include nursery rhymes along with my bedtime story. The rhythm is soothing and relaxing.
• Have patience with me if I want to say “good night” to all my toys. Although if may seem endless to you, this routine comforts me and gets me ready to sleep.
• Turn a cardboard box over and draw stove burners on the bottom. Get another box for me to use as a low table to serve the “food” I’ve “cooked”. I especially like it if you join in this play with me. I’ll take the orders and prepare the “food” to your taste.
• Share your interests with me. If you enjoy fishing, include me. If you like cooking, I’d like to help.
• Give me simple instructions, such as, “Please put the paper in the rubbish can.” After I do it, let me know how pleased you are by saying, “Thank you for helping.” I’ll learn to be polite if you are.
• Let me use big color crayons to draw on paper sacks or other large pieces of paper. When I name my pictures, write what I say on the edge.
• Get me a small backpack. I’ll wear it around the house and on walks. I will put my own special treasures in it. It makes me feel so grown-up.
• Give me a dishpan of water. Add a funnel, sponge, measuring spoons and cups, a washcloth, or some plastic squeeze bottles. I’ll enjoy pouring and squeezing and washing. Part of the fun is getting myself and everything else wet.
• Buy pairs of picture post cards. I will enjoy matching them. Tell me what the pictures are. Large flowers such as plumeria or hibiscus are easy to match. I’ll quickly learn to name them in real life too. Include some landmarks we know, such as King Kamehameha’s statue or the Iao Needle. Point these out to me when we see them.
Healthy
eating habits
Some parents may worry that their chubby child
will become an overweight adult. Research has found that chubby babies
tend to slim down as they grow.
Every child has a different appetite and a different
body type. Let your child determine what and how much he eats from
the nourishing foods you’ve picked for your family.
To help your child develop a healthy body, plan time for active play
and exercise. Limit chips, fries, soda, candy and cookies.
Unless your doctor advises otherwise, don’t
encourage your child to either lose or gain weight. Never tease or
shame your child about his body size.
Your child is unique
and has
his own growth timetable.
Each child develops in his own way.
If you have any questions
about your child’s development,
call your doctor or H-KISS.
Page 4
Hazards
• Keep guns unloaded and locked up at all times. Keep danger-ous tools, craft supplies (needles, glue gun), and sporting equipment such as fish hooks and hunting knives in a safe place.
• Be aware of anything your child could crawl into but not get out of, such as an unused refrigerator or ice chest. Remove doors from these items or tie or tape the doors closed.
• Keep kitchen knives and scissors out of reach. Let your child use blunt scissors only and teach him how to sit and hold them safely.
• Remember to lock up solvents, paints, fertilizers, gasoline, motor oil and swimming pool chemicals.
• Check any home outside playground equipment regularly and supervise your child’s play closely.
Stuttering
In your child’s eagerness to talk to you,
he may repeat words and phrases. Repeating words and phrases is normal
for this age and is not true stuttering. Children between the ages
of two and five do not talk smoothly and may repeat sounds and words
as they begin to put sentences together.
Can you remember when your child was so eager to
get somewhere that his body outran his legs, and he fell down? This
is a similar situation. Your child’s eagerness to tell you something
may be greater than his ability to coordinate his tongue and mouth.
Repeating words and phrases almost always disappears
if you don’t draw attention to it. Avoid finishing your child’s
sentence or making him repeat his words. Don’t scold, shame,
or talk for him. Be patient and wait for him to finish. If your child’s
speech continues to worry you, seek help from your doctor, or H-KISS.
•
Trust your common sense.
• Take time for yourself.
• Keep your sense of humor.
• Be a good model for your child.
Page 5
Providing
choices
Offering choices will help your child
learn to make decisions. It will also increase his self-confidence.
When your child wants a story, he can choose between two books. When
getting dressed, he could choose his blue or red shorts. At mealtime,
he can choose between two salad dressings.
Making choices gives your child a feeling
of 
control.
It gives him a sense that his feelings and wishes
are being respected.
However, if you give him a choice if there is no real choice, it will
only confuse him. Whether or not to go to bed, to preschool, or to
the doctor’s office are not choices. Just say, “It’s
time for bed” or “It’s time to leave.”
Sometimes your child may have difficulty
making even simple choices. He may change back and forth and be unable
to choose. At other times, he may be too tired or upset to make a
choice. In these cases, calmly make the decision for him.
Basic
Guidance Rules
1. Recognize your child’s good behavior.
2.
Tell your child what to do rather than what not to do.
3. Give your child reasonable, limited choices.
4. Prepare your child for new situations.
5. Save “No’s” for those times when your child is in personal danger, or is in danger of hurting other people or damaging property.
6. Whenever possible, try changing the situation
or activity instead of your child’s behavior.
PAGE 6
Q - My 2 1/2 year old son likes to watch TV. Is this harmful?
• Children who are aggressive tend to watch violence on television.
• Children are likely to be attracted to and influenced by TV commercials. They may pressure parents to buy toys and food. Many of the toys may be inappropriate for your child. The foods advertised are generally high in sugar, fat, or salt.
• Children who are heavy television viewers tend to use less creativity in their play and have less tolerance for the “give and take” of playing with other children.
• Children may become insensitive to the pain and suffering of real people.
• Children can become “couch potatoes”, leading
to weight gain and muscle loss.
Turn off the T.V. Go to the beach or
park. Read to him and talk about the pictures in a book. Play some
story tapes.
Think about these questions when deciding
how much television to allow your child to watch:
• Do you know what programs he watches? Do you know what he is learning from them?
• Do you watch television with your child and discuss what you are seeing?
• Do you want your child to see violence on television? Violent situations are shown even in cartoons and music videos.
• Does television keep you from reading, talking, and playing
with your child? Does it keep him from creative and active play of
his own ?
Television can be a very powerful force
in people’s lives. It can provide entertainment and education.
It can also take them away from other learning activities.
Pediatricians recommend:
• No more than 2 hours of T.V. per day.
• No T.V. sets in children’s bedrooms.
• No background T.V. during meals and other activities.
Eating
out
While eating out with your child, it’s
important to have a fun, relaxing time. Worrying about his behavior
in public can upset both of you.
Children copy the table manners used
by adults around them. The best way to help your child learn good
table manners in public is for you to use them at home. Don’t
expect him to learn too rapidly. The muscles necessary to eat gracefully
take a long time to develop. Table manners take even longer to learn.
Encourage him when he behaves in a way
you like. Saying, “You are using your spoon so carefully”
will increase his confidence. Saying, “You did a good job of
using your napkin to wipe your mouth” can help him remember
what is expected. Avoid constantly correcting his behavior.
When you do eat out, choose family-type
restaurants where you all will feel comfortable and relaxed. Before
going, help your child be more prepared for the restaurant experience.
Play with him ahead of time and pretend to be the person who will
take his order and bring his food. Let him pretend to be the server
also. Take along some books or small toys to help him wait more patiently.
Continue to plan time for
yourself and your own interests. Just as your child has grown these
past three years, so have you. There is more growth to come. Keep
up the good work and take care of yourself.
For more information about Keiki ‘O Hawai‘i and its contents
or to receive additional copies call
The Parent Line at 526-1222 or 1-800-816-1222 toll free.
Keiki ‘O Hawai‘i describes a typical child at each age. These descriptions are based on the study of many babies. Because your child is unique, he may do things somewhat earlier or later than is indicated. If you have any question about your child’s development, call your doctor or The Hawai‘i Keiki Information Service System (H-KISS). H-KISS is a statewide information and referral phone line for families with children ages 0-5. H-KISS helps parents who have concerns about their child’s development and/or have children with special needs.