2 Years Old

Your two year old seems to be growing up fast. At times they will struggle with this as there are still many things they can’t manage by themselves. They can have very strong feelings about what they will and won’t do which can be hard for you to understand at times.

Help your child develop skills to manage tasks they would like to do by providing play opportunities to practice these.

Activities could include:

• Pouring in water play
• Practicing using zips, poppers and buttons
• Cutting, pressing and rolling with playdough
• Building with blocks, lego and other similar toys 

Developing these skills can support your child's emotions by helping them to feel less frustrated, building confidence and boosting their self esteem.

3 Years Old

By three years old children often move into a period of new skills and understanding. This helps build strong relationships with those around them. Your child will still need to know that they can return to you as their safe place but will enjoy playing with other children rather than just alongside them.

You can support their developing relationships by providing chances to play with other children and practice how to manage different situations in a safe way.

You can do this by having role play activities available such as:

• Tea set and play food (you could use pots and pans from the kitchen for this)
• Doctor's set 
• Doll's, pushchairs and baby changing equipment (you could use nappies and old baby clothes for this)
• Various dressing up clothes (children love dressing up in your old clothes!)

These do not need to be expensive toys but imaginative play with household objects will work. Children love using packaging and cardboard boxes as cars or airplanes for example!

The important thing is for your child to spend time with others around their own age. This give children the chance to 'act out' situations and to practice how to manage when things don't go quite as they had expected, with your support as needed. They will also learn these skills by copying people around them.

4 - 5 Years Old

Between the ages of four and five your little one is preparing for school. You can really help your child feel ready by encouraging them to learn skills like getting dressed, putting shoes on, brushing their teeth and eating meals at a table. 

This can be a tricky time as your child may refuse your help as they want to do things by themselves! They are building a sense of independence and it may be helpful to try to plan times when you can support your child to practice these skills without feeling under pressure.

For example:

• Help your child practice getting dressed for school by making it into a game. If you are able to have their clothes ready in advance they can role play and practice any tricky zips or buttons before starting school. 
• Make sure that your child is confident with sitting at the table to eat their meals and using a knife and fork.

These skills will help them feel prepared and confident that they will be able to manage at school. They will also support your child's developing emotional health by building confidence and self esteem, reducing any anxieties they may have.

Find out more about starting school