Typical day
Most toddlers seem to be early risers. It may be because of wet diapers,
a full blad
der, hunger, or just because they want to get on with the joyful
business of living.
Most children are very good at undressing themselves at 2, but dressing
themselves is another story. Since it is difficult for them to balance
on one foot or to stand up with the face covered by a shirt, they should
sit on the floor while dressing or undressing.
Parents can help by sitting on the floor behind the toddlers to help
them practice putting on and taking off clothing, using some of the same
movements the toddler should use. As toddlers become more skillful, the
amount of help should decrease. Parents should allow toddlers to choose
their clothing whenever possible. Toddlers will probably be more
interested in dressing themselves if they choose what they wear.
Most toddlers adapt to three meals a day, but some prefer several light
meals. These children can be offered small amounts of fresh fruits and
vegetables, cheese, and peanut butter—all good, nutritional foods.
Outdoors, a toddler has the chance to run and shout and use up
tremendous energy.
Breakfast
Breakfast for toddlers should include fresh fruit or juice and an egg or
other food high in protein, along with some whole-grain cereal or bread.
After breakfast, the toddler is ready for action. Try a walk through the
neighborhood or a stroll in the park. This will give the toddler a
chance to see, feel, and hear new things, as well as to run and shout.
Back home again, let the toddler listen to music or watch a carefully
selected television program. This will give you both a breather before
lunch.
Lunch
For lunch, you might offer your toddler a peanut-butter sandwich and a
glass of milk or vegetable juice. This could be alternated with bean or
lentil soup, cheese, or some lean meat. Skip luncheon meats with
nitrates, or soups and canned pasta with MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Nitrates and MSG are both unnecessary salts.
For dessert, offer fruit or a cookie made with honey rather than sugar.
Nap
After lunch is a good time for a nap. Naps are often a quiet time for
parents, too. The nap should be long enough to be a real break for both
mother and toddler, but not so long that the child will not go to bed at
a reasonable time at night.
Some self-winding children cannot relax and sleep. They suspect that
when mother wants them to nap, something big is going to happen that
they will miss. They know shutting their eyes and relaxing leads to
sleep. To avoid this pitfall, they sing, talk, toss, pick their noses,
pace the floor, gaze out the window—anything to keep busy and prevent
sleep. After two hours, when nap time is just about over, they fall
asleep and—if not awakened—will sleep until 8 [p.m.] and
then not sleep again until 1 [a.m.]{.smallcaps}
Even if toddlers do not sleep during nap time, a quiet period has some
value. Mothers and toddlers can meet each other afterward with a fresh
approach. When toddlers get up from a nap, a whole-grain snack and some
juice might provide just enough energy to hold them until supper.
Dinner
The ideal meal should be a relaxed, happy time that the whole
family—father, mother, toddler—can enjoy together. However, what
often happens is far from ideal.
Commuting problems and the toddler’s early bedtime often make it
impractical to hold dinner until both parents get home. In such cases,
the toddler should eat dinner early with the parent who is home and then
have dessert with the other parent. The ideal family dinners can be
saved for less hectic weekends.
Evening time
A pleasant evening routine is the best way to establish a successful
bedtime. Parents can establish a calm evening routine for their
toddlers: a warm bath, pajamas, a light healthy snack, and several quiet
stories lead to being tucked in for the night.
Let your child know that you will be there if needed, but that it is
time to go to sleep. Be firm. You can tell the child that sleep is
needed for a wonderful day tomorrow. If your child gets out of bed, be
consistent and don’t change the rules. Take the child back to bed. Some
children want to sleep with a favorite blanket or stuffed toy. Avoid
stimulating toys in the crib or bed. Some toddlers will sleep better if
there is a night light in their room. Shut the door to keep out
household noises—but don’t lock it.
Most children need and want rules. They like to break them, but that is
no reason for not having them. A reasonable bedtime should gently be
insisted upon. Parents should back each other up on a mutually
agreed-upon time.
If both parents work outside the home, it can be difficult to go home
from work, prepare dinner, do dishes, give your child a bath, and get
the child into bed in a tranquil manner. You may feel as if you have no
quality time with your child because your evening schedule revolves
around chores. Try to have your child nap longer during the day so that
a little later bedtime can be arranged. Try to keep the evening
activities quiet, so that the transition to bedtime and sleep goes
smoothly.
For more information, see [Sleep] in the Medical Guide.
