Over the past year, your child has grown from a dependent baby into a lively, energetic individual ready to explore his world. This means that your child requires a different kind of attention from you. In addition to loving hugs, your toddler now needs encouragement and freedom to explore -- safely. Providing gentle but firm guidance will also be a new role for you during the coming years. Your toddler will also benefit from your willingness to be child-like yourself. Enjoying the small pleasures of life, laughing at the silliest rhymes, getting down on your hands and knees to watch a bug -- these are all part of providing a stimulating environment for learning. And now, as your one-year-old takes three wobbly steps toward you, you may wonder...

Your toddler will also grab at anything handy to keep from falling. At first, reaching is a way to stand and walk. Soon the child learns that all sorts of new objects are now within reach. Little hands can hold, explore, and throw many more things, so check carefully for dangerous items within his reach.

Curiosity
Now that your child can move around more easily, a whole new world can be explored. Children are born with a built-in need to look, touch, and experiment with everything. This is important for learning, so your toddler needs freedom to exercise and explore safely.

Growing Sense of Self
Your toddler is beginning to see that she can control things and is becoming aware of herself as separate from Mom and Dad. This growing physical and emotional independence sometimes brings temper tantrums and defiance. This may be exhausting and difficult for you. Your child is not being "bad" on purpose. She is just immature and still unable to control her own actions. Be patient with her!

Talking
A one-year-old understands many more words than she can say. Each child has a few favorites that only family can understand. New words and phrases will be added every day as you speak and your child repeats what you say. She learns her speaking habits from you -- be sure you model what you want her to learn! Many toddlers also develop their own special "sign language" before actually talking. By pointing, putting fingers in their mouth, tapping their head, or other motions, they are communicating their needs without words. By paying close attention, you will soon learn what these gestures mean.

Anxieties and Fears
Along with a need to explore comes much uncertainty about the big, scary world of toddlerhood. Your toddler still does not understand many things. A clingy, whiny, or troublesome child may be telling you that she is worried, uncomfortable or afraid. This is the time for comfort, hugs, and understanding words. Don't make fun of her fears -- she really believes there is an alligator under the bed! Also, be careful not to frighten her with threats from the "boogie man."

• empty cabinets, drawers, and closets of poisons and sharp, breakable or heavy objects
• use safety locks on doors and drawers that cannot be emptied
• keep small objects out of reach: baby still likes to "taste" new objects
• store medicines and cleaning fluids on high shelves or in locked cabinets
• cover unused electric outlets: children love to poke objects into small spaces
• store sewing equipment (scissors, needles, pins, knitting needles) out of reach
• put drapery cords on a hook on the wall so they do not dangle where a child can get tangled or strangled
• throw away dry cleaning bags immediately
• don't leave a stroller or walker where child can climb on it and pull it over

Remember, a toddler's curiosity can lead to injuries such as poisoning, choking, falling, drowning and burns. Supervise a toddler at all times. Keep emergency numbers, including your poison control center, next to the phone.

• Household items. Pots with lids, a handbag to put things in, plastic or wooden spoon to "mix" with, cardboard boxes, rigid plastic containers to stack
• Toys with action or sound. Jack in the box, music boxes, telephone with dial that clicks and rings, children's records or tapes
• Toys for creating. Tool bench with toy hammer and pegs for pounding, blocks for stacking
• Bathtub play. Cups, sponges, boats and unbreakable bottles are perfect for filling and pouring water
• Fitting toys. Rings or balls on rods, nesting cups

Toddlers like to make things happen. They are learning to control objects, so avoid toys that do too much on their own. Simple sturdy toys that let your child be creative are important now. These toys teach him to think and try new ways of doing things.

Your goals during this stage are to make eating fun and to provide a healthy variety of foods. Prepare yourself for mealtime by spreading an old towel, tablecloth or newspapers on the floor for easy clean-up. Match your toddler's foods and utensils to his abilities. Foods that can be picked up with fingers cause less frustration. As your child begins to use a spoon, try the type with a thick, sturdy handle or molded grip. A deep bowl instead of a flat plate makes scooping foods easier, too. Make sure food is cut into small bite-size pieces.

Many one-year-olds still drink from a bottle, especially at bedtime. When a child falls asleep with milk (or other sweet liquid) in his mouth, the milk may cause dental cavities. Cavities in baby teeth may affect their permanent teeth later. If your child likes a bottle for comfort at bedtime, try substituting water or a pacifier.

If you find yourself becoming more tired and less patient in caring for your toddler, that is a signal to take a break. Often, just a few minutes to catch your breath is all you need.

How do you cope with stress? Some people like quiet activities such as sewing, reading, or TV. Physical activities like aerobics or taking your toddler for a walk are good, too. Keeping in good physical shape is a proven stress-fighter. Do you have a friend or relative who could watch your toddler awhile? Learn to recognize when your "fuse" is getting short. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your toddler!

Next Issue: Talking, sleeping, brothers and sisters, and more!
Prepared by Don Bower, Extension Human Development Specialist, and reviewed by Mary Anne Pace-Nichols, Karen Shetterley, Katrina Bowers, Holly Alley, Judy Hibbs, Esther Maddux, and Cindy Darden.

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. For large print, taped or braille editions of this publication, contact the author.