In the first years of life, children must overcome a number of small and big daily challenges. Parents are also put to the test in this period of constant change. Let’s see some of them together!
BYE-BYE NAPPY!
What is the right age to start potty training? Depending on the child’s age, two distinct phases can be identified: the first one, called assisted potty training can start as early as the first few months up to 18 months; the other, called independent potty training, from 18 months onwards. If you go down the first route, it is important to know that even if they are at a very early age and are not yet able to speak, children have the ability to express the need to poop or pee through precise anticipatory signals that they send through their body, face, gestures, time of day or crying, which parents interpret through their knowledge of their child. If you opt for later training instead, the child should have acquired a certain degree of independence, such as being able to pull their pants up and down, sit on the potty and being able to say that they need to go potty. In either case, it is important to know that this process must be carried out gradually and respecting your child’s pace.
BYE-BYE NAPPY!
What is the right age to start potty training? Depending on the child’s age, two distinct phases can be identified: the first one, called assisted potty training can start as early as the first few months up to 18 months; the other, called independent potty training, from 18 months onwards. If you go down the first route, it is important to know that even if they are at a very early age and are not yet able to speak, children have the ability to express the need to poop or pee through precise anticipatory signals that they send through their body, face, gestures, time of day or crying, which parents interpret through their knowledge of their child. If you opt for later training instead, the child should have acquired a certain degree of independence, such as being able to pull their pants up and down, sit on the potty and being able to say that they need to go potty. In either case, it is important to know that this process must be carried out gradually and respecting your child’s pace.
FIRST WORDS!
The moment your child utters her first words is both eagerly awaited and a source of emotions, often conflicting ones. On the one hand, it is an important stage in the child’s growth, because it allows her to acquire greater autonomy and to deepen the relationship with adult carers. On the other hand, it can be a source of anxiety and worry if the first words take a long time to arrive. Actually, children communicate from their very first days of life through crying, laughing, facial expressions or, a little later, through gestures such as pointing with the hand. The process of uttering their first words is closely linked to their bodily development, in particular the auditory system, the brain areas and the face and mouth muscles. Each child will speak their first words at their own pace, so it is important to support them in their natural development and stimulate them on this path.
Sleeping in their own bed!
For some children, sleeping alone in their own bed can be a major challenge. Often, separation from parents, fear of the dark or simply of being alone in their room can lead a child to refuse to sleep in their room. A lot depends on the parents, their habits and the routine that they follow at home to prepare the child for a sweet sleep, through a bedtime ritual. Sometimes it is enough simply to keep the bedroom door ajar, or to spend a little time with them, perhaps reading a book to them with a soothing tone of voice and dimming the light. Establishing the right balance between children’s and parents’ sleep is the best way to get a good night’s sleep and face the next day refreshed.
Sleeping in their own bed!
For some children, sleeping alone in their own bed can be a major challenge. Often, separation from parents, fear of the dark or simply of being alone in their room can lead a child to refuse to sleep in their room. A lot depends on the parents, their habits and the routine that they follow at home to prepare the child for a sweet sleep, through a bedtime ritual. Sometimes it is enough simply to keep the bedroom door ajar, or to spend a little time with them, perhaps reading a book to them with a soothing tone of voice and dimming the light. Establishing the right balance between children’s and parents’ sleep is the best way to get a good night’s sleep and face the next day refreshed.
The first day of school!
The start of nursery school is one of the most delicate challenges for children because, besides involving the first real separation from mum and dad, it represents a radical change in many of their habits. It is also a challenge for parents, who may experience it with anxiety and apprehension. But what are the typical fears experienced by children at this time? The first is that of separation from their parents, followed by the fear triggered by being entrusted to an “unknown” adult figure such as the teacher, and finally the fear stemming from being placed in a new environment with different rhythms, habits, rules and with other children. How can we help them face this change smoothly? As a first step, it is important that parents themselves show confidence and a positive attitude to avoid transmitting their anxiety and worry to the child. You can encourage your child by showing full confidence in the school and the educator. The nursery school teachers will be your ally in the balanced growth of your children, through a true educational pact. Secondly, it is important not to force the child and to respect his pace: this is the best way to successfully start this new challenge!
Feeding time!
Weaning is one of the first major challenges for parents and children. Some children may eat nothing or only a few foods, others might eat only when watching a screen: mealtimes can be a difficult time for many. How can this challenge, which is part of every family’s daily life, be tackled calmly? First of all, it’s important to pay attention to the environment, “setting the scene” for mealtimes, e.g. not eating with the television on, ensuring that the baby is seated correctly and can interact with the food comfortably and directly. Secondly, the food itself must be chosen appropriately, offering balanced and appealing foods that help to educate the child’s taste buds while providing the right nutritional intake. Last but not least, it is important to pass on a few good mealtime habits to children early on in order to manage this new challenge successfully!
