Month 22: Is squashing bugs OK? 5 environmental lessons your toddler can learn now
“Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.”
Bradley Miller
You see a spider crawling up the side of the bathtub. Your toddler is watching. Quick! What do you do?
We each have our way. Some of us trap unwanted insects found indoors and shepherd them outside, and some of us do what we must.
So, what about toddler bug squashing? Some children have a natural tendency to want to exert their power over smaller living things. This probably has to do with the fact that kids rarely feel “big” and here, they get a chance to show that they are.
That’s understandable, but in many places around the world, children are taught to respect the well-being of “mini-beasts” like bees, ants, and worms. Squashing or stomping on insects and worms outside, in certain cultures and families, is considered inappropriate. That may be worth thinking about.
HERE ARE FIVE EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL LESSONS YOUR TODDLER MAY BE READY FOR NOW:
1. Respect living things
If your toddler stomps on or squashes a bug or worm outside, teach them that being bigger means protecting smaller things, or at least leaving them alone. It may take a while for your toddler to be able to do this.
2. Pick up litter
Your toddler will love to be helpful in this way. Bring a couple of plastic or washable reusable bags when you go on a hike, to the park, or just out and about. You can bring your Lovevery tweezers and have your toddler use them to pick up the trash.
3. Sort waste
Toddlers love to sort and put things in bins. If your recycling and compost are easy for them to access, ask your toddler to put the cans, paper, cardboard, etc in the right spot.
4. Turn off the lights
Get a lightweight stool your toddler can easily move around. Ask them to turn off the lights and see if they can get the stool and reach the switch on their own. Your toddler will feel so capable!
5. Two pumps
Toddlers LOVE to pump and pump and pump the soap. Teach your toddler to count “1 …2” pumps of soap. Talk about how it is wasteful to use more.
Keep reading
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Dirty vs clean: a quick lesson in contrast
Your toddler’s brain loves to grapple with opposites. A great way to involve your toddler in learning about opposites is by exploring the idea of dirty vs clean
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Mess-Free water painting
This water painting activity boosts gross and fine motor skills and is incredibly simple. All you need are paint brushes and a bucket of water.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Cap twist-off board
Twisting caps to loosen and tighten them takes concentration and coordination, and can be done over and over again. This activity reuses disposable baby food pouches to allow your child to practice.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Pipe cleaners and Wiffle Balls
"Posting” is a term used to describe fitting objects into an opening of corresponding size. In this activity, colorful, bendable pipe cleaners fit into Wiffle balls for all kinds of posting fun.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Velcro dot craft sticks
This DIY craft activity has can be taken on car trips and stored easily for future use—and it supports multiple developmental skills as well.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Pop-up paper tunnels
In this activity, your child will push toy cars, trains, planes, and other small vehicles through DIY tunnels, creating a world of pretend play to get lost in.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
DIY Balloon Tennis
This simple DIY is a great source of entertainment and helps develop gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. All it takes is a paper plate, popsicle sticks, and a balloon.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Some of the best craft materials can be found in the recycling bin. Here are 3 crafts you can do with your toddler using toilet paper rolls.
22 - 24 Months
Welcome to The Companion Play Kit for months 22-24
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the CompanionPlay Kit for months 22 to 24 of your toddler's life.
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
3 easy pincer grasp activities for toddlers
The pincer grasp isn't just for babies. Toddlers need to continue strengthening this coordination and dexterity for future tasks.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Don’t buy that gorgeous wooden play kitchen just yet, by Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph
Consider these fun and safe ways to include your toddler in your real kitchen before you buy a new toy kitchen.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Ice, ice, baby—try these easy science activities
Sensory exploration of colors, shapes, and textures with your child doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few simple science activities for toddlers.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: 4 funky ways to make music a part of your toddler’s life
Music is a great way for toddlers to express creativity. Lovevery provides 4 fresh ways to make music a part of your child's life.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Is squashing bugs OK? 5 environmental lessons your toddler can learn now
Children react in various ways when they encounter bugs, but what should they do? Here are 5 environmental lessons your toddler can learn now.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: Make me a match—Understanding your toddler’s matching skills
Matching images, objects, colors, and sound builds a toddler's pattern recognition and visual and short-term memory. Learn how matching skills progress.
22 - 24 Months
The better way to help your toddler learn colors
Lovevery shares the techniques discovered by Stanford University that pinpoint a new, effective way to teach young children about colors.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: A whole new era of pretend play just started
Learn how to support your todder's pretend play, which is based on their own lived experiences. Imagination play will come later.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: The pincer grasp is not just for babies
Learn why practicing the pincer grasp can help your child succeed in school and beyond by developing their fine motor skills and hand strength.
22 - 24 Months
Month 24: Why labeling your toddler’s intense feelings can actually help calm them down
Dr. Dan Siegel "name it to tame it" philosophy helps children calm down by acknowleding and labeling their strong emotions.
