Notes
Planning their day can help give both parents and their child a sense of security and wellbeing. Knowing what’s coming next also helps everyone feel prepared.
In the SKIP Whakatipu booklet Te Pihinga 3 under ‘Ngā tohu whānau’, ‘A structured and secure world’ (page 23) we’re reminded to ‘Balance daily activities so there’s a mixture of quiet and active times.’
Here are some other helpful places in Te Pihinga 3 to explore with the whānau:
- Page 3 — ‘Pēpi says’:
‘I’ll be moving freely, maybe crawling, pulling myself to stand, walking holding on to things — furniture, people! Or I might be walking without help.’
- Page 5 — ‘Whānau say’:
‘We make sure sturdy and safe surfaces are clear for him to pull himself up to and stand at, and we help him walk or “cruise” along.’
- Page 6 — ‘Whānau say’:
‘She likes to practise new motor skills too, over and over and over again!’
- Page 16 — ‘Pēpi says’:
‘My whānau know that playing and lots of love is exactly what my brain and wairua need.’
- Page 17 — ‘Whānau say’:
‘We try and make playing together a regular part of every day.’
In the SKIP Thinking about parenting booklet (page 8) we’re also reminded that planning the day ahead can help avoid problems before they start: ‘Balance the day so kids get a mixture of activity, rest, time with others, time alone, and some time with you.’
Ask the whānau:
- How does this match with what’s going on in your whānau at the moment?
- What changes have you noticed in your toddler’s behaviour?
- Why do you think that’s happening?
- How has this affected things for your whānau?
- Can you tell me about the things you feel happy about with your toddler?
- How about the challenges?
- What would help you to balance the days better?
- What else would you like to talk about?
- What more would you like to find out about?
How does this topic relates to the SKIP resources?
Six things children need - Te aroha me te mahana - love and warmth
Baby Wall Frieze - Tukuna ahau kia mahi, kia mōhio ai ahau me pēhea te ako - let me do things over and over again