I’m not sure if you’re caught up on the diabolical mess that’s happened to me, but I’ve been assigned to a nursery. Yes I realize your shock and horror, the tragedy is true I have been institutionalized. So I get to have Play Doh time, sing row row row your boat and finish the day with a story, but it’s always a scary one that has Hansel and Gretel being eaten by witches or Jack being chased by man-eating giant…. sheesh the nightmare I have after this verbal assault! 

Anyway the place in question is called Twinkle Toes Nursery, run by Ooompa Loompas I say they just seem so efficient and ALWAYS happy, anyway Mummy loves them. She’s always telling her friends about how good they are with the babies and how her mind is at peace yakata yakata….yeah yeah abandon your child to strangers, Mother dearest, THEY make us play with sand, it sometimes gets in my eyes. Isn’t that kinda torture? 

Anyway, my nursery day goes kinda like this, Mum drops me off at the nursery steps bright and early, like 8.30am, then I see her hopping and skipping for joy to the car, whilst I bawl my lungs out at the thought of Mummy no more, might just poop in my pants just after she’s given me a bath to get back on her for that one. Since I’m bawling, not sure why, but I just have to do it, my carer gives me a nice warm hug and whispers about all the lovely toys I can play with. Yeah okay so that ALWAYS calms me down. Then the chase begins, must get to my coveted play thing, before some random Johnny gets to it. I love my trike and my trike loves me, I would stay on it the whole day if I have to, but the carers insist we do things like finger paint or have some crayon time. Usually I get bored by this desk work stuff, hey you can’t get me to sit down forever, I’ve just started to walk and I want to walk everywhere. But I love me some finger painting sessions, my fingers just take on a life of their own, last time, when one of the nursery carers got distracted with another baby-inmate during finger painting time, I just let my paint-filled fingers do some walking, the walls of nursery were covered in my works of art. I was just getting started on the teacher’s desk, until my creativity was brought to standstill with a scream and shout. Now apparently if it's finger-painting I have to do I have to have one on one time with my carer. Whatever, it really stifles my creativity to have someone breathing down my neck, I can’t unleash the inner maestro. So then the rest of the day is spent with a fruit snack, then maybe a nap, some outdoor time and after what feels like a year Mummy’s come to pick me. One sight of Mummy and all is forgiven for leaving me in this dungeon of doom, she’s my Mummy and I love her to bits, shall hug her and not let go. The best part of nursery is the going home bit! 

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What sort of skills should toddlers do at certain ages? 

Early Toddler Skills (12-24 months) 

· walks independently 
· pulls / carries toys while walking 
· stoops and gets back up 
· begins to run 
· kicks a ball 
· holds railing going up/down stairs 
· walks backward 

Older Toddler Skills (24-36 months) 

· balances 1 to 2 seconds on one foot 
· climbs well 
· bends over easily without falling 
· runs well 
· kicks ball forward 
· both feet on step going up/down stairs 
· starts to pedal tricycle 
· throws ball over head 

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How much activity is necessary? 

For children 12-36 months old, current National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) guidelines recommend this much daily activity: 

· at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led) 
· at least 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play) 

As a general rule, toddlers shouldn't be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time, except for sleeping. That's a lot of work for parents and caregivers, but a lot of much-needed activity for toddlers. 

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What is separation anxiety in babies? 

Separation anxiety is a normal emotional stage of development that starts when babies begin to understand that things and people exist even when they're not present – something called "object permanence." At certain stages, most babies or toddlers will show true anxiety and be upset at the prospect – or reality – of being separated from a parent. If you think about separation anxiety in evolutionary terms, it makes sense: A defenseless baby would naturally get upset at being separated from the person who protects and cares for him. 

By Mayuri Jayasinghe