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Understanding Your Toddler: A Month-By-Month Development & Activity Guide For Playing With Your Toddler From One to Three Years
If you've ever wished for a step-by-step guide to supporting your toddler's development... Distilled, research-based developmental information paired with simple activities to play with your toddler on a month-by-month basis, guiding you and your child through toddlerhood. There's no such thing as a "how-to-parent" guide - but this book comes close… the much anticipated follow-up to “Understanding Your Baby,” “Understanding Your Toddler” is a rare gem that helps parents feel informed. Learn how to "think outside the box" when it comes to play - the information and activities in "Understanding Your Toddler" break down developmental concepts and offer simple, quick play activities to help parents and caregivers feel that they're "winning" at parenthood! Toddlerhood is often marked by the need for independence, a short attention span, difficulty with transitions, and a desire to explore everything. Finding quality, age-appropriate resources to guide your toddler’s learning can be difficult, and feeling satisfied with the amount of time you’re able to truly be present with your child is a constant challenge. "These simple activities build fun and learning into what we’re already doing, which makes both me AND my toddler happy!"-- Carrie Clark, M.A., CCC-SLP, mother of two and founder of The SLP SolutionIn this age of parenting, we feel enormous pressure (both societal and self-imposed) to “get it right” when it comes to raising young children, and each of us has felt, at one point or another, that we’re “doing it wrong.” Pediatric speech-language pathologist, parent educator, and mother of two young children, Ayelet Marinovich, is the creator of the early parenting resources at Learn With Less. She believes that parenthood is easier when we have resources we trust. We all want to do everything we can to support our toddlers, and, ultimately, to raise good human beings. There’s a way to find joy in the mayhem, and it’s a mixture of science of art. When we feel empowered with knowledge about how our toddlers develop (and how we can support that development), we feel more confident as parents and caregivers, and we’re able to connect in more ways with our toddlers. Understanding Your Toddler offers an enrichment curriculum for parents and caregivers of toddlers, with 50 bite-sized "modules" of palatable, research-based developmental information and simple, enriching activities to support your toddler's development in the areas of cognitive, communicative, motor, and social/emotional development. Month by month, learn along with your growing, changing child!YOU'LL LEARN: + All about what your toddler is likely to be working on in the areas of cognitive, communicative, motor/sensory, and social/emotional development + Simple, practical ways to support those areas of development - finding new ways to think about materials you already have (everyday objects in your home) to infuse more play, communication, music, and movement into your everyday experiences+ How to let your toddler guide her own learning, maximizing your time together by coming up with simple, creative ways to quickly organize play materials to support all areas of your toddler’s development+ How to help your child communicate to reduce negative behavior and minimize (everyone’s) frustration + The developmental basis for simple activities you may already be doing - helping to reaffirm what you already know and do innately, and helping to boost your likelihood to keep doing them!
- GenresParenting
170 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 4, 2019
One of the challenges of being a parent to a toddler is managing the ‘chaos’ while not allowing it to suck you into its vortex. A toddler is a powerful thing. And if you’re not careful, he can take you down with everything else he pulls off the shelf. I spent 10 joyful years as a classroom teacher shaping young adults. But when I became a father who was in charge of caring for our son during the day, I was a fish out of the water. My heart was there, but my hands didn’t know what to do.
The internet is surely not short of support in this matter. In my search to tame this wild beast before me and keep me from having a terrible no good bad day, hunting I did go. But my wife and I weren’t sure our budget could afford (nor thought we needed) the ‘promoted’ material, and our child actions didn’t seem to match the one dutifully sitting at the table threading a disc….we tried. He’d rather see what each did while flying through the air. More importantly, as a high school teacher, I learned real quick that students don’t like worksheets (that’s toddler speak for flash cards). They want to experience the world around them…in 3D. That’s what I wanted to share with my son. While also getting the floors swept, taking care of the laundry, washing the car, shopping for groceries, etc.
That’s what Ayelet is helping me with…. “Simplification” and the means for me to provide my son with “high-quality interactions and opportunities to engage with the world”. Most of all, for me personally over this last month (and I think this is probably the secret sauce that other books and blogs DON’T provide), is that she has helped me see more clearly that “we are already engaging in the kinds of activities that can make a huge impact on our toddler’s development….we already have the material we need”. Ayelet's words ring true for me; Pinterest can be helpful and fun, but we can’t forget that “it’s the experience of words, objects, people, and ideas in a variety of contexts, settings, and environments that support your child’s learning.” Ayelet helps you understand and know ways to do so.
For me, it’s what Ayelet says early on that captures the essence and source of help she’s been for me: “It’s the way [toddlers] are able to play, the words that are used around them, the musicality of those experiences, and the movement of their bodies that supports” your child’s later learning. What she says next is where I struggle and she comes through like none other that I’ve read: “As adults, we often have a difficult time connecting these things.” I was comfortable in the classroom. But the home is not a classroom and neither is a toddler a young adult. And Ayelet has been helping me, not just navigate these uncharted waters but also enjoy the journey, as she puts it, “so you can move together through the years of toddlerhood.”
That’s the support Ayelet’s well-researched material provides here. Natural ways to support how toddlers learn—“through interactions with us and with the objects in their environment.” Daniel and I carry laundry from one side of the hall to the other or go find a box we can get into and out of. We flick the light on and off, making funny faces when he turns it on, freezing when it’s off. We also go outside to stack rocks or see which is the heaviest rock we can throw, or transfer water from one bucket to another and back again….and again…and again. And can I tell you that trips to Target are no longer a rat race of getting in and out quickly so this little volcano doesn’t erupt? With him, I might narrate the process of what’s happening. If we witness “big feelings” in others, I’ll make comments to him and predictions about what might be going on, “That boy is jumping up and down. I think he found a favorite toy!”
Play, Talk, Sing, Move. Those are the ingredients, the four pillars she provides. The book guides you month by month ‘for learning about your child’s development and what you can do to support it…that require little to no materials.’
Since starting to read and apply the suggestions in this book, time with my son has been enriched. If you want to feel confident that you are supporting all areas of your toddler’s development, and doing it well, I encourage you to read this book.
I do want to say that I took the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book. And so happy that I did.
The internet is surely not short of support in this matter. In my search to tame this wild beast before me and keep me from having a terrible no good bad day, hunting I did go. But my wife and I weren’t sure our budget could afford (nor thought we needed) the ‘promoted’ material, and our child actions didn’t seem to match the one dutifully sitting at the table threading a disc….we tried. He’d rather see what each did while flying through the air. More importantly, as a high school teacher, I learned real quick that students don’t like worksheets (that’s toddler speak for flash cards). They want to experience the world around them…in 3D. That’s what I wanted to share with my son. While also getting the floors swept, taking care of the laundry, washing the car, shopping for groceries, etc.
That’s what Ayelet is helping me with…. “Simplification” and the means for me to provide my son with “high-quality interactions and opportunities to engage with the world”. Most of all, for me personally over this last month (and I think this is probably the secret sauce that other books and blogs DON’T provide), is that she has helped me see more clearly that “we are already engaging in the kinds of activities that can make a huge impact on our toddler’s development….we already have the material we need”. Ayelet's words ring true for me; Pinterest can be helpful and fun, but we can’t forget that “it’s the experience of words, objects, people, and ideas in a variety of contexts, settings, and environments that support your child’s learning.” Ayelet helps you understand and know ways to do so.
For me, it’s what Ayelet says early on that captures the essence and source of help she’s been for me: “It’s the way [toddlers] are able to play, the words that are used around them, the musicality of those experiences, and the movement of their bodies that supports” your child’s later learning. What she says next is where I struggle and she comes through like none other that I’ve read: “As adults, we often have a difficult time connecting these things.” I was comfortable in the classroom. But the home is not a classroom and neither is a toddler a young adult. And Ayelet has been helping me, not just navigate these uncharted waters but also enjoy the journey, as she puts it, “so you can move together through the years of toddlerhood.”
That’s the support Ayelet’s well-researched material provides here. Natural ways to support how toddlers learn—“through interactions with us and with the objects in their environment.” Daniel and I carry laundry from one side of the hall to the other or go find a box we can get into and out of. We flick the light on and off, making funny faces when he turns it on, freezing when it’s off. We also go outside to stack rocks or see which is the heaviest rock we can throw, or transfer water from one bucket to another and back again….and again…and again. And can I tell you that trips to Target are no longer a rat race of getting in and out quickly so this little volcano doesn’t erupt? With him, I might narrate the process of what’s happening. If we witness “big feelings” in others, I’ll make comments to him and predictions about what might be going on, “That boy is jumping up and down. I think he found a favorite toy!”
Play, Talk, Sing, Move. Those are the ingredients, the four pillars she provides. The book guides you month by month ‘for learning about your child’s development and what you can do to support it…that require little to no materials.’
Since starting to read and apply the suggestions in this book, time with my son has been enriched. If you want to feel confident that you are supporting all areas of your toddler’s development, and doing it well, I encourage you to read this book.
I do want to say that I took the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book. And so happy that I did.
March 4, 2019
Want to support your child/client's speech, language, cognition, play, and motor? Need something that doesn't cost an arm an a leg to do so? Searching for something that isn't super complicated and takes a bachelor's degree to achieve? Look no further! Understanding Your Toddler is exactly what you need!
It is easy to read and navigate. This step by step guide offers an activity every month that target's the child's developing skill at that age. Each section explains the skill that is being developed based on the month and an activity to target. As a speech language pathologist of many years, this book was a wonderful tool to use with the clients on my caseload. Ayelet really hits home about not needing the latest and greatest gadgets and toys to play with your child. All that is needed is YOU! Using language around what they are already doing (like playing with pots and pans in your kitchen) or a poster on the wall of a waiting room to target skills. This really opens your eyes as to how easy it is to teach your child. Often times, parents I work with ask me how to help teach their child to talk. This book is the top recommendation for them.
As a mother of two herself, Ayelet really understands how limited and chaotic a parent's life is. Understanding Your Toddler has you add to what you are already doing at home with your children versus implementing a brand new time-consuming activity. This book is a great read and adds a lot of value!
It is easy to read and navigate. This step by step guide offers an activity every month that target's the child's developing skill at that age. Each section explains the skill that is being developed based on the month and an activity to target. As a speech language pathologist of many years, this book was a wonderful tool to use with the clients on my caseload. Ayelet really hits home about not needing the latest and greatest gadgets and toys to play with your child. All that is needed is YOU! Using language around what they are already doing (like playing with pots and pans in your kitchen) or a poster on the wall of a waiting room to target skills. This really opens your eyes as to how easy it is to teach your child. Often times, parents I work with ask me how to help teach their child to talk. This book is the top recommendation for them.
As a mother of two herself, Ayelet really understands how limited and chaotic a parent's life is. Understanding Your Toddler has you add to what you are already doing at home with your children versus implementing a brand new time-consuming activity. This book is a great read and adds a lot of value!
March 4, 2019
My favorite part of this book is that it has a month-to-month guide in understanding your toddler's speech and language development and has examples of types of play--for each month--to incorporate into your child's learning environment. You can literally flip to the section that matches your child's age, and read all there is to know about them developmentally and find an activity that's appropriate for that age. As a mom who appreciates evidence based information, I appreciated the notations to all the research Ayelet did to write the book. Though it has notations, the book itself reads so anyone can pick it up and understand it without have background knowledge in speech/language development. It's truly tailored to parents. I love how the activities include every day household items and learning opportunities (like playing a game where you help your toddler locate the letter S in food labels around your house) and don't require fancy toys or structured classroom-like time. It's perfect for parents who want to better understand what stage their toddler is in developmentally, and how to best tailor learning activities to fit that stage of development.
March 5, 2019
I am a 1st time mum with a gorgeous 27 month old son.
I loved this book as it assisted me to know what to look out for and what to expect in the upcoming months of my sons development. The information is informative and easy to read. Since every child is different and have their own growth pace, this book acknowledges that and so its great as a reference guide. For me this book has so far allowed me to feel incontrol and empowered, because I know I'm meeting my sons needs most of the time, and by understanding him we hardly get into power struggles as I am better equipt to know how his brain is developing etc which instantly makes me a conscious parent. Also I find that I'm able to be more present in the moment with him, as I no longer have to figure out what he is wanting or is going through, in terms of his behavior.
Thanks so much Ayelet for writing this book! It was exactly what I was looking for. Something I could quickly read whilst also giving suggestions 😊
Rina
Australia
I loved this book as it assisted me to know what to look out for and what to expect in the upcoming months of my sons development. The information is informative and easy to read. Since every child is different and have their own growth pace, this book acknowledges that and so its great as a reference guide. For me this book has so far allowed me to feel incontrol and empowered, because I know I'm meeting my sons needs most of the time, and by understanding him we hardly get into power struggles as I am better equipt to know how his brain is developing etc which instantly makes me a conscious parent. Also I find that I'm able to be more present in the moment with him, as I no longer have to figure out what he is wanting or is going through, in terms of his behavior.
Thanks so much Ayelet for writing this book! It was exactly what I was looking for. Something I could quickly read whilst also giving suggestions 😊
Rina
Australia
March 8, 2019
What a great read for parents of toddlers!
This book provides so many great ideas to help parents and caregivers provide stimulating learning activities for toddlers...without needing expensive or specific toys. My son is loving all the suggestions and enjoys participating in everything we have tried so far. The best part for me is that the book is organized by age, which allows me to jump to the parts that are most relevant for us at the time, because we all know that living with a toddler is a very busy time for parents.
Thank-you Ayelet for such a useful resource aimed to help parents support their child’s growth and development during this critical time for learning!
This book provides so many great ideas to help parents and caregivers provide stimulating learning activities for toddlers...without needing expensive or specific toys. My son is loving all the suggestions and enjoys participating in everything we have tried so far. The best part for me is that the book is organized by age, which allows me to jump to the parts that are most relevant for us at the time, because we all know that living with a toddler is a very busy time for parents.
Thank-you Ayelet for such a useful resource aimed to help parents support their child’s growth and development during this critical time for learning!
April 8, 2019
Great!
One of th best parenting books I've ever read! I highly recommend it to anyone who is or will be a parent or works with young children.
One of th best parenting books I've ever read! I highly recommend it to anyone who is or will be a parent or works with young children.
January 9, 2020
Engaging and accessible activities for you and your toddler to explore and grow together in this straight-forward, gentle, and no-nonsense approach from a pediatric speech-language pathologist.
I love Ayelet Marinovich, M.A., CCC-SLP's concepts. They are spot-on, rooted in research, and so intuitive. She's all about using what is available-- common household objects and everyday activities to build language, motor, cognition , and more in the minds and bodies of children.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TODDLER focuses on the ages of one to three years, segmented into months of age, and what skills your child might be reaching on a traditional developmental continuum. Keep in mind, if your child is developmentally delayed or you’re working with additional diagnoses, these skills might need to be tweaked.
Here, Ayelet breaks down her four pillars of “Learn with Less”: 1) Play. That is, children need open-ended experimentation, 2) Talk. This involves discussion and conversation, repetition, variation, and modeling of behavior, 3) Sing. Be silly. Use the everyday routine to calm or energize your child’s sensory system and develop a sense or rhythm, and finally, 4) Movement —that is, children need to experience the full range (and planes) of their bodies, pairing gestures with sounds and objects, and a change in environment. Each suggested activity in UNDERSTANDING YOUR TODDLER includes ideas on how you can incorporate each pillar into your everyday activities. Seriously, this book—and Ayelet--is a gold mine.
For all of my book reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com|Always with a Book.
Special thanks to the author for this review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love Ayelet Marinovich, M.A., CCC-SLP's concepts. They are spot-on, rooted in research, and so intuitive. She's all about using what is available-- common household objects and everyday activities to build language, motor, cognition , and more in the minds and bodies of children.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TODDLER focuses on the ages of one to three years, segmented into months of age, and what skills your child might be reaching on a traditional developmental continuum. Keep in mind, if your child is developmentally delayed or you’re working with additional diagnoses, these skills might need to be tweaked.
Here, Ayelet breaks down her four pillars of “Learn with Less”: 1) Play. That is, children need open-ended experimentation, 2) Talk. This involves discussion and conversation, repetition, variation, and modeling of behavior, 3) Sing. Be silly. Use the everyday routine to calm or energize your child’s sensory system and develop a sense or rhythm, and finally, 4) Movement —that is, children need to experience the full range (and planes) of their bodies, pairing gestures with sounds and objects, and a change in environment. Each suggested activity in UNDERSTANDING YOUR TODDLER includes ideas on how you can incorporate each pillar into your everyday activities. Seriously, this book—and Ayelet--is a gold mine.
For all of my book reviews, including author interviews, please see: www.leslielindsay.com|Always with a Book.
Special thanks to the author for this review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews