Month 34

This month your toddler is starting to become more social. Every month his talking and comprehension skills advance a little further so that he can communicate not just with you but also with other children. Some children this age have the ability to recognise when they are speaking to a younger child, and slow down what they are saying. Encourage your child’s socialising by praising him when he plays nicely or shares a toy. He may even become attached to one other child he prefers and some children create imaginary friends at this age. Jamie has always had imaginary friends he talks to, as well as his teddy's who he has always bossed about. Not sure he has a favourite friend but he has begun to remember who people are, so when you tell him you are going to see someone or someone is coming to visit, he remembers (and then is upset if they don't).

Your child’s memories are starting to develop and he will love to hear all about himself. Showing him pictures of when he was a born, pointing out family members and telling him how happy you were when you first met him, will boost his sense of self and his self-esteem. Show him pictures of his first and second birthday. Also, encourage him to think about his third birthday, which is fast approaching. If you traced his feet when he was little or painted hand prints, put his hands and feet against them now to show him how big he has grown. Draw around his hands and feet again and tell him you will look back in a year to see how much more he has grown. Consider making a height chart for his room so he can help plot how tall he gets from month to month. Jamie loves looking photos of himself. There is a small photograph in our bedroom of Jamie from when he was in hospital and Jamie likes to carry it around and say 'Baby Jamie'.

This month your toddler is not too young to understand the concept of being tidy. You can teach him to put away his toys, or not to take all the toys out of the toy box, just the one he wants to play with. You can include him in simple chores such as sorting though the washing and loading it into the machine. He can help you to sweep the floor or help to prepare easy parts of a meal. Making a cake remains a firm favourite with most children, if not, just for licking the bowl of icing at the end! Jamie loves to help mummy if he can - even if mummy would rather he didn't! Washing up can be a wet nightmare, as can making his own breakfast, as most of the Bran Flakes usually end up on the floor! I know he also helps Nanna when he is there. He especially likes cooking with Nanna - though he still won't share what he makes!! As for tidying his room - we have yet to understand this concept; although he will push all his clothes into the wardrobe if mummy says she is tidying his clothes!!

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