During her outings to the park and the river, Jasmine shows great fascination with ducks. When given bread to feed them she prefers to feed herself, remaining stationary as they waddle towards her.
Jasmine has a great love of fruit and cheese, with banana clearly being her favourite food. Offered a selection of fruit pieces, she shows understanding of their names by taking the one that is named for her - 'Would you like a grape, Jasmine?' 'Would you like a piece of orange?' and so on. She drinks more milk now than ever, which helps sustain her energy levels. She still has a breastfeed at night before bed, but this is becoming less frequent.
Jasmine's most frequent word is 'Nana', which has been extended from simply meaning banana, to referring to anything at all that she is asking for.
Socially, Jasmine is beginning to move away from her mum at toddler groups, regularly returning to her. Teething has been constant during this month, with non-stop dribbling and occasional moments of distress. Fortunately, she has not been unsettled at night. She goes to bed happily, playing in her cot before settling down by herself. She sleeps 12 or 13 hours, waking fresh for a new day of energetic play.
Questions
1. Jasmine eats a great deal of fruit. What part of a healthy diet does this provide?
2. What foods would complete the balance of a diet for a toddler of Jasmine's age?
3. How can the effects of teething be relieved?
Answers to part 14 questions: (20 June):
1. Shape sorters are an excellent activity to encourage manipulative dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination as shapes are positioned for posting.
2. Babies can benefit from books from the earliest weeks of life, with bright clear pictures held up to attract their attention, Give them hard covers as their ability to hold objects develops. Sharing books with babies and toddlers is an important aspect of both social and cognitive development.
3. At 14 months, play is still largely solitary. It would be expected at this age that Jasmine would watch the actions of others and enjoy the company of adults, while still largely 'doing her own thing'.
By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Jasmine's grandmother
