[CanadianMommyToBe]

Okay all those that have toddlers at home - I need some help! Hubby and I are hoping to adopt a child or children between 15 mo and 4 yrs. If our dreams come true we are going to need some help and I find it hard to ask those that I know who are currently parenting toddlers - scared to get the "well don't you KNOW?" I helped raise my niece (who is now 13 going on 25!) but what we really need help or reminders about are things like: What characters, shows, etc. are toddlers wild about these days? Is it too late to start 'baby signs' with a child who is 18 mos, 2 years or older if they are still preverbal? (The three year old we inquired about has speech delays) What kind of things do I NEED for their "nursery" (aside from clothes, diapers if they are not potty trained...)

Any advice/tips for us? I have been doing some reading on the 'psychology' of adopting toddlers (LOVED Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft - will let you know how it works in reality when we get there), but would welcome any wisdom, experience, etc that others can share.

Carrie

[ourdreamcametru]

Our daughter is 2 1/2 and loves The Wiggles, Tele Tubies and Sesame Street. She loves any kind if music. Although she is about as girly-girl as you will ever find, she is just as happy to play with cars and trucks as dolls. She loves to "fix' Daddy's hair and hang things from his ears like the little chains you connect to the stroller to keep toys attached!
As far as a nursery/bedroom I would try to keep the child in a crib if they are sleeping in one when you bring them home, at least for a while until they adjust. I think a few good entertaining toys and some books would be great. Most toddlers love blocks and coloring.
Good Luck!
Kelley

[Leigh131313]

My son is 2 1/2


if it doesn't involve the movie cars, don't bother talking to him. lol

He also loves Curious George and Thomas the train.

Ya know, the best thing up here is Kids CBC. They run great comerical free programming for toddlers from 7am-12noon. My son prefers the disney chanel, but he does have an interesting affection for Patty (the host)

Music wise....ok....now THIS is funny. We listen to tons of toddler music...but every single time Nelly Furtado's Maneater comes on, he says "Turn loud mommy"


so apparently he's into more adult music...lol



The reality is, your child is going to be very unique. S/he will have their own interests and favorites....it's so hard to predict.

But you will be fine....you'll figure it out.


As for the nursery...its so gonna depend on the child you receive. Luckily it's easy to pick up last minute things.


again, you'll do great!

[Persephone76]

I have worked with toddlers for years.

Baby signs - At work we started baby signs when they moved in to our room, which was at 12 months or later. (The baby room teacher didn't do it) There were even kids that started later in age like 15-18 months. They pick it up fast. We didn't do a lot of words, just things we needed most, like 'more' and 'done'. I think most of the 12 months would pick it up and start doing it at about 15-16 months. But there was a room of other toddlers also doing it to show them what to do. But personally I don't think that 18 months is too late. Just start slow with only 2-3 words that you will really need. Once those are good, move on to more.

I'm hoping to use baby signs too. DH was just joking this week that he will need to learn sign too! LOL Or he won't know what we're talking about!

I also think that it would work to use it if an older child if they are preverbal. They say baby signs helps the child to talk a little earlier.

As for characters, I think it is different with each group of children I have. I have 2 year olds this year and we have tried watching some tv (We don't normally watch tv at daycare) One loves Elmo, one loves Pooh...but in the room the only thing we can get them to watch is Barney. So I think it's different with each kid.

Good luck.

[rjsmom]

DS is 18 months old and he loves the Doodlebops and his new favorite is the Mickey Mouse Club. Einsteins and the Backyardigans are also hits. Really anything that has music and danicng. He loves the gap commercials - he stops whatever he is doing when they come on. As far as toys he likes anything with wheels - mostly his jeeps and tractors.

Good luck.

[blessedbybug]

Originally Posted by Leigh131313

but he does have an interesting affection for Patty (the host)

Leigh... You mean, Patty Upsulupsulupchuck???? LOL!!!! Bug just calls her Patty Upchuck... what a hoot!!! We watch Kids CBC here mainly because we don't have cable/satellite (don't get me started)...

Curious George, Poko and Tractor Tom are huge here. She can't stand Ebb and Flo for some reason and turns it off for the exact amount of time it takes for it to show.

Carrie...

We go in spurts. Bug's latest obsession is Veggie Tales. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber happen to be living at our house right now. And if you ask her, she'll say she's "a pirate who don't do anything" (I guess the joke is lost if you've never seen VeggieTales) but she also loves Dora, Backyardigans and Baby Einstein. She did go through an obsession with Burt of Burt and Ernie fame, still haven't figured that one out. Oh and Babar... she loves Babar. Big elephants who dress like people.... hmmm... But that's just TV and man, it sounds like we watch a lot of it. We don't really, except when Momma has a broken foot, which is right now.

Other things she loves... tools or anything her Dad is doing... their thing is hockey, they love going to the local rink and just watching whoever is playing. She is getting skates for Christmas.

Oh and books, books, books, books, books... have I said books???? We read sometimes for 2 -3 hours a day.

Playdoh, coloring, magnets, and oh, the music!!!! She loves to crank it up and dance! I get lots of good exercise that way.

She loves her "buddies" aka Little People. She has the farm and the house. Little People are great because they travel well (nice and quiet you know...) and she can play with them in the car or in a restaurant.

She loves her trike although it's put away for the winter. And playing and the park and building blocks and helping me bake and sweep and well... she's a pretty well-rounded little lady.

Whatever child comes to you will already have so many interests that you get to nurture. I was really behind on toddler culture so it took us awhile to get into it. In that way, you will have a head start!!! I am excited for you!

Edited because... it seems I don't know how to spell or use proper grammar...

[HongKongMomma2B]

I have not adopted yet, but I can tell you that I volunteer in a preschool class which consists of special needs children ages 4-6 and another 4-year-old program for children without special needs. They use sign language with all children in this class, whether they have special needs or not. The children pick up on it very quickly.

Good luck!

[yusen]

My Youngest Girl Viktoria is 4,, She absolutly Loves Dora the Explorer,,,Her favorite activity at home is Tea Party Time with Mommy ,,and Loves to Play with Daddy,, She loves the children Appliances that make the sound like an actual appliance...My older Daughter Anita,Viktoria and I Love to play Old Maid,, cept Viktoria always gives herself away by laughing so we always know whose holding the Old maid Card..
Good Luck..