Your Clever Toddler in Week 91: Mastering Tool Use

Offer your child tools to use in his daily routines. Spoons, forks, and toothbrushes are all safe items for your little one to practice using (especially if you get them in child-appropriate sizes made of safe materials). Early attempts may result in an extraordinary mess, but be patient, and let your child continue despite repeat flubs. At first, it will take planning and problem solving on your child's part to successfully use these tools, but with practice his efforts will become automatic. (Of course, he'll be looking to copy your behavior as well, so let him watch and participate in routine feeding and hygiene activities.)

It will certainly take time for your toddler to refine his ability to complete more complicated tool activities (such as picking up objects with a magnet), but these skills set the stage for even more skilled tool use: crayons, pencils, scissors, and screwdrivers are yet to come.

Coming soon, look forward to: Week 92: Affected by Secondhand Emotions
Review the most recent accomplishments: Week 90: Beginning to Delay Gratification

Curious about how else your toddler might be developing right now? Learn more about her clever brain and her growing body here:

• What's happening in Months 21 and 22?
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about around now.