18 MONTHS TO 36 MONTHS

Children at this age are developing who they are separate from their parent. They are venturing away from parents more, but from time to time, will become clingy and insecure with previously accepted situations. These 18 months are a huge time for emotional development. They will begin to display jealousy, fear, anger, sympathy, modesty, guilt joy, frustration and pride. As these emotions emerge, children will struggle with how to express them. They understand the concept of being hurt and can sympathize with those who have been hurt.

Although little ones can’t comprehend what is going on with this tragedy, they are more aware that something is up. They will need reassurance of your love and protection. If they ask questions, keep answers very simple; “some people did something very bad and what they did hurt a lot of people.” Reassure them that you are there to protect them and that God is watching over us all.

Activities

  • Pray – Make a photo book with pictures of family member and close friends. You can make this as simple or as fancy as you want. The easiest way is to put pictures in a mini photo book and write the names of the people under the pictures. Keep this by your child’s bed so that when they say their prayers they can flip through the book. You can teach them to say God watch over Johnny” and then sing, “Lord have mercy” after each person they pray for. Older toddlers can add specifics to the prayers, “God watch over Daddy because he is traveling for work.” 
     

  • I Spy a Flag - Have them help you put a flag up at your house. Point out the colors, stripes and stars. Tell them in simple language what the flag is. Then go for a walk and see how many flags your child can find. 
     

  • God Bless America – This is a simple song that young children can learn through repetition. Make up hand motions for mountains, valleys, oceans and other words in the song. The more they get to move while singing the better. Have them march around while you sing together or pull out pots and pans and have them play the drums while you both sing. 
     

  • Baking - Make star shaped sugar cookies with your little one. You can have them frost them with red white and blue frosting. Point out how the stars look like the stars on the flag. Take them to your churches coffee hour or to a neighbor’s house. Children at this age will like to share what they made with others.

Suggested Reading

  • Baby Faces by Margaret Miller – A great book to explore emotions and begin teaching little ones about feelings! Tie it into their life “Oh that baby is sad! She looks like you did when you fell down and hurt your self. Were you sad then?” Little ones love looking at the real expressive pictures in this book. 
     

  • Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBrotney – This is a very sweet book that toddlers love. This is a fun way to reassure them of your love. Build on it at the end by asking, Guess how much God loves you?”