Ways to help a child's development

• Take a child into any room and point out all the different items.  Tell them what it is called and what its use is.

Thank you BCWWV

• At the end of each day get down on your hands and knees and get your toddler to help you pick up the toys and put them back where they belong.   This helps them realise they have to clear up what they take out, that each thing as a place to go and also teaches co-operation.  Also getting down to their level helps you to see potential hazards, like loose change etc.

Courtesy of a 27 year old mum who is a paramedic by trade.  Many thanks.

• When I get my son dressed in the morning I choose two outfits, then let him choose which shirt he wants to wear.  I then dress him in the shirt of his choice and the matching shorts/pants.  This way he is learning to make choices and expanding his vocabulary at the same time.

• If you have a child afraid to go to bed because of "monsters".  Get a can of room deodoriser spray.  Tape a paper around the can labelled "Monster Spray" or "Monster Repellant" or somesuch.   When it is bedtime, tell the child you are going to spray the "Monster B-Gone" to scare away all the monsters that may be in there.  If the child is old enough, let him/her do it.  This works wonders, especially since the smell is "evidence" the spray is working.  Exercise caution with asthmatic children.