New Vitamins to Help Toddlers Thrive

Photo by jackfre2

The following post is written by Steady Mom's monthly contributor, Melitsa.

Are your toddlers getting their vitamins?

With the start of summer more of us will be aware of covering up our toddlers to avoid skin problems. We're careful that they eat their greens and munch an apple to get their Vitamin C.

It's what caring parents do. Vitamins are vital to the health of us all.

I'd like to propose five new vitamins just in time for summer. Release date is worldwide with no known side effects--except possibly the big bi-product of laughter, smiles and contentment.

Give your child PURTS this summer.

Vitamin P

Play- Assemble a variety of open-ended resources. Dig out those play activities you've bookmarked or seek out those blogs and podcasts that encourage play. Have a plan for play, but don't over schedule.

Administer daily. Unlimited refills.

Vitamin U

Unstructured Play- Take large chunks of time without any plans and let the kids play.

If this is a large leap for your family, then here are a few suggestions:

1) Make an "I'm bored" box as a crutch
2) Give choices of activities
3) Lay out 2-5 choices depending on age 
4) Have shorter practice sessions of unstructured play and work up to longer periods
5) Plan to be out hiking, at the beach, at the playground, water park etc for an extended time

Administer 2-3 times a day as needed. Monthly refills for adjustment of dose.

Vitamin R

Reading- It's easy to get stuck in a rut with reading. Summer reading programs are not just for the older kids. Choose a theme and dig in.

Can you read to your toddler ten books in ten days? Set your goals. Snuggle up with an audio book. Try a Memetale or Smories. Keep reading exciting and fun for you both.

Administer as needed. Unlimited refills.

Vitamin T

Time- Lose the watch. The long lazy days of summer. You really can sit and watch the clouds and guess the shape.

Encourage those extended projects that sit on the counter or take up space in the basement for days and weeks. So much of the year calls for timeliness, speed and neatness. But in the summer creativity can escape, bubble up and have time to overflow.

Administer daily with controlled doses and parental supervision.

Vitamin S

Slow down- Take a step back during the season--if you're taking your Vitamin U then you'll have less need to fill your schedule. Take a break. See if you can slow the family down.

Administer in late spring. Finish entire course.

Remember: Kids need their PURTS vitamins. (Not found in any shops.)

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Melitsa is raising three full of fun boys in various countries, as a military wife and mother. She writes at her blog, Play Activities, and also hosts a weekly podcast, Raising Playful Tots, dedicated to making the most of playtime. 

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