Question: Do you have any suggestions for how to structure and organize a day for an active toddler? My 18 month old is constantly on the go and I’m not sure I can keep up with her!!!
As the mother of two active toddlers, I am full of suggestions. But you need to know that suggestions are just that. What works for one, may well not work for another. With that said, here is a list of things to think about:
1. Do you have a routine?
In my experience, the more active they are, the more routine they need. It doesn’t have to be so rigid that you zap the fun out of the day. However, having a planned down time, planned meal times, and other regularly scheduled activities often helps set structure for toddlers who are exuberant about life.
2. What is your toddler eating?
Every time I mention this in a mother’s group, a light bulb goes on in at least one mom’s head. . .and usually it’s several moms. If your toddler is eating lots of sugary snacks and processed foods, he’s going to be more hyper. I would encourage you to reevaluate what he’s eating on a day to day basis and offer wholesome snacks like whole grain crackers, fruit, and cheese.
3. Lack of planning precedes catastrophe–always.
If you spend 15 minutes a night (if even that) thinking about what you’ll do tomorrow with your toddler, the day will go more smoothly. Perhaps tomorrow’s the day to pull out the water colors and paint. Maybe a trip to the grocery store is just the thing to do. But spend a little time thinking about it. I often find that spending mornings focusing on my little people, makes them happy to self entertain later in the day.
4. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
I really believe that our kids get so much less exercise than they used to when we were kids. But let’s face it, running around is tiring and taking junior outside to play may very well help down time to go better.
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
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