Baby Growth & Development Part 3 (12-24 Months)
Healthy Eating for Your Toddler
As your child enters toddlerhood, his digestive system has matured enough to process the same food as children and adults. It is important for parents to set healthy eating habits for their children at a young age as this can influence their dietary preferences in the later years.
Recommended number of daily servings for children 1-2 years:
| Food Groups | Recommended Number of Daily Servings |
|---|---|
|
Brown Rice & Wholemeal Bread |
1-2 |
|
Fruits |
0.5 |
|
Vegetables |
0.5 |
|
Meat & Others
(including Dairy & Calcium-Rich foods) |
2 & 1.5 |
Source: Health Promotion Board
Physical Activity
At this age, your child will be a ball of energy and it is important to give him lots of opportunities for physical activity as this helps develop motor skills, build muscles, enhance social skills and improve overall health. If your child can walk independently, try to keep him physically active for at least 180 minutes throughout the day. Here are some ways you can encourage your child to get active:- Bring your child to a playground and encourage him to climb and play in a safe manner
- Go for a walk outdoors at a park and encourage him to get in touch and learn about his surroundings
- Encourage supervised water play at a pool
- Turn indoor activities like reading into something fun by acting out scenes and role-playing as characters from the book
- Avoid relying on electronic devices like handphones and tablets
- Limit sedentary activities such as watching television or break it up with bouts of physical activity
- Let your child explore new activities and areas under supervision
Good Hygiene Habits
As your child spends more time playing outdoors, they can unknowingly touch their eyes or mouths with dirty hands and easily get infections such as hand, foot and mouth disease. Parents should teach their child to practice good hand washing habits as this prevents the spread of germs and infections.
Encourage your child to wash their hands with soap and water at these times:
- Before and after eating
- After using the toilet
- After sneezing and coughing
- After touching pets
- After touching surfaces such as handrails, tables or the ground
- After touching dirt or rubbish
Managing Difficult Behaviour
We have heard the phrase “terrible twos” when it comes to describing difficult behaviour in toddlers. As your toddler grows, you may encounter behaviours which require patience and firmness in dealing with.
| Behaviour | What You Can Do? |
|---|---|
|
Clinginess Becoming upset when separated from you |
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Possessiveness Refusing to play with other children or let them play with his or her toys |
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Asserting Independence Difficulty controlling emotions when frustrated and throwing tantrum when not getting his way |
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Whining Whining to get your attention and express his or her needs |
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Curiousity Exploring surroundings and getting frustrated when he or she cannot accomplish certain things |
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