Toddler Senses

Toddler Sight

Between the ages of one and two years, your baby’s sight continues to get better. By the time she reaches her second birthday, she will be ready to see everything and can focus better than during her first year of life. She has better depth perception and now takes in lots of detail. Your role is to provide a pleasant, stimulating environment where she can gain lots of visual information. Colorful toys, other children, picture books, and learning DVDs all can provide her with great things to look at and learn about, reports mother and researcher Lawanna Brock. Take her on outings to the park, the grocery store, and the zoo. Seeing new sights and novel sights will offer interesting visual education.

Toddler Hearing

Regardless of when she says her first words, she is already understanding much of what is said to her and in front of her. She can follow simple commands and is aware of the full meaning of familiar objects and names of family members. By the age of eighteen months, your little one will know a few of her body parts even if she can’t say the words. This shows you that her hearing is intact and functioning well. Language skills will come later, but the key to language is a sense of hearing. Toddlers will begin to say more and more after the second birthday, but the nonverbal communication may continue as well. She will enjoy the pleasures of listening to songs and music, having you read a bedtime story, and laughing with siblings or friends.

Toddler Taste and Smell

Your toddler will soon begin to tell you what she prefers to eat and drink. Just as her sight and language skills are developing, her taste and smell is too. The smell and taste of a particular food will be remembered, so if she don’t like it, she won’t eat it. This makes it difficult for parents who are trying their best to encourage healthy eating, according to Lawanna Brock. Many toddlers are picky eaters and are difficult to cook for. Don’t get discouraged if your toddler doesn’t like foods the first time they are offered. Experts recommend that you keep trying different foods and try them over and over again. It may take several attempts before your little one will take in a new food. You can help your toddler label smells and tastes by using a descriptive word for certain foods and meals.

Toddler Touch

Your toddler will become more and more ‘busy’ and may not seem to want affection from cuddles or kisses. This type of affection is still very important to her growth and development, however. Take every opportunity to let her know how much you care and love her. Don’t’ forget, too, that little fingers like to touch everything. Think about safety as she starts to explore the world around her. Make sure you childproof your home and take a look around from a little person’s perspective. Put unsafe items well out of reach. Touch is how she explores and learns about her environment, and you don’t want to tempt her by having untouchables around.

Many toddlers will start to use their hands to show frustration or look for attention. Don’t be alarmed if she starts hitting or banging on stuff. This is a common occurrence, so teach her that her little hands aren’t to be used for hitting. Use ‘time-outs’ if hitting persists.

When Should I Be Concerned?

There are times you may feel that your little one is not up to where she should be regarding her senses. Maybe you think she doesn’t hear as well as she should, or she doesn’t seem to be looking around as much as you think she should. If you are concerned about any of your child’s senses, ask her doctor about this.  Researcher Lawanna Brock warns that you should be sure to contact a pediatrician if you notice:

• Inability to see distant objects
• eyes that wander in or out or don't move together
• she doesn’t turn her head to loud noises
• droopy eyelids
• frequent squinting
• persistent tearing, crusting, redness, or fluid discharge of the eyes