On an average, many toddler boys have difficulty in school than toddler girls. Because of this, poor performance in school plus minimal exposure to physical activities occur which can hinder toddler learning.

The Reasons Behind The Struggle

Developmental Differences

While many toddler boys are excellent students throughout their school years, the language center of a boys brain develops later than girls. Because of this, toddler boys cannot talk as quicker and as clearly as toddler girls which makes them acquire reading and writing skills at a later time.

Toddler boys also interact differently especially in groups. For instance, a little boy alone may be content finishing a jigsaw puzzle, looking at a book or watching television but once he spots other boys around, competition and action usually erupt leaving the activity he was previously attached to behind.

Boys Are More Active and Aggressive Than Girls

Toddler boys are generally more abstract thinkers than girls. Meaning, they strive best when they are active. Compared to girls whose common notion of being active is sitting down and listening, toddler boys are spatial learners. Little boys feel the need to unleash their energy, hence the reason why they can never sit still during a class discussion and do things repetitively. They always crave for action and movement. Recent studies conducted in a preschool in the United States have proven this theory. Among the 70 students enrolled, a good 45% of the toddler boys in that preschool pay more attention to subjects that involve hands-on interaction and they are more likely to participate during playtime and other physically demanding activities.

Different Style of Learning

Research show that boys and girls rely on different parts of the brain when it comes to learning. Toddler girls rely on speech, either oral or written as their main source of information. While boys on the other hand have a sensory approach to learning, which means they comprehend and process information better when they can manipulate the material or when things are demonstrated. For instance, when a teacher gives a demonstration to the class, boys are more likely to understand the information better than if the teacher began the class by giving verbal instructions.

Ways to Support Toddler Boys

Timing Is Everything

Never push your little boy especially if he is not yet ready. If he gets nervous when you mention the word school, do not pressure him. Take it slowly. Prepare him by talking to him about it and ask what scares him. Visit a preschool around your area so he can see what goes on,  the people around and the things he can do. Let him watch shows about kids starting school. Once he sees how great school can be, he will be ecstatic to start his first day,

Look For Literacy Programs

Inquire about various hands-on learning and problem-solving opportunities that are part of the school day. Look for a school with literacy-based computer programs to ensure your little boy can actively participate, enjoy, learn and thrive at the same time.

Show Moral Support

Be your son’s cheerleader. Give him lots of hugs, kisses and encouraging words. Talk to your little boy. Ask him how his day went, his favorite things about preschool, his friends and if there are any problems he would like to tell you. Commend him for doing such a great job in school. By diverting the attention to the good things, you erase the pressure he feels and encourage good behaviour instead.

Boys are not better than girls and girls are not better than boys. But boys and girls are undoubtedly different. Parents and teachers need to be aware of these dissimilarities to give toddlers the best advantage in learning.

Bad breath in toddlers is possible. There are various reasons why this happens. Below are some of the most common causes of bad breath in children coupled with tips on how to effectively resolve them.

Cause # 1: Poor Oral Hygiene

This is the leading cause of bad breath in toddlers especially since toddlers can be very obstinate when it comes to dental hygiene. Inappropriate oral care can leave behind bad odors which can lead to even more serious health issues such as tartar build-up, dental abscess or gingivitis.

Solution

Like adults, toddlers need a dental care routine. As soon as his first tooth appears, clean it twice a day to prevent bacteria from growing and thriving. Over time, assist and teach your toddler the right way of brushing teeth. He should brush his teeth and tongue for three minutes, twice a day, using a pea-sized amount of an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Flossing once a day and rinsing with a child-friendly mouthwash after every meal are also a must. Take your toddler to the dentist for regular dental check-ups.

Change his diet. Avoid giving him cheese, garlic, onions, soda and artificial juices since they trigger odor-causing germs. Give your toddler a mint candy he can chew to freshen his breath after eating flavorful foods.

Cause # 2: Thumb Sucking

Sucking is common in toddlers. Your little one may suck his thumb or a pacifier for comfort. This favorite activity can essentially lead to the development of bad breath since the thumb and the pacifier can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not correctly cleaned.

Solution

Distract your little one. Give him a toy, play a game, read a book, color or do things that will keep his hands busy. Keeping him preoccupied can help break the bad habit. Cover his thumbs with bandages in bright colors or those that feature his favorite cartoon character. Chances are, once he tries to put his thumb in his mouth, he will not like the feel of the bandages in his mouth which will make him think twice and decide against it. At night, try putting some Thum Thumb Sucking Nail Biting Treatment (a drugstore product designed for nail biters) on both his thumbnails. This product taste really bad allowing your toddler to break the habit at once.

For severe thumb sucking, using a thumb guard (a metal piece that prevents the thumb from going into the mouth) is one effective way to stop the habit.

Cause # 3: Mouth Breathing

Breathing through the mouth is common in toddlers. This can lead to a dry mouth which results to bad breath. A dry mouth leaves the tissues of the oral cavity dry which increases the chances of germs to grow more rapidly along the throat producing a bad mouth odor. Mouth breathing is often done due to allergies, a congested or stuffy nose, dehydration and overheating.

Solution

Quickly treat cold and allergy symptoms. Suction your toddler’s nose with saline and a nasal aspirator especially before bedtime. Doing this will help reduce the post-nasal drip and prevent mouth breathing. See to it your toddler gets plenty of fluids and snacks throughout the day. This allows the odor-causing bacteria to be moved around the mouth and get washed out. It also produces more saliva avoiding a dry mouth. Make sure your toddler’s room temperature is stable especially at night. Turn on the air conditioner or open windows to prevent overheating.

Cause # 4: An Illness or Condition

Sometimes, bad breath is a sign your toddler may be sick or is suffering a chronic condition. Cavities, gum diseases, respiratory infection, sinusitis, diabetes, tonsillitis or acid reflux can cause bad breath which should be addressed as soon as possible.

Solution

Check his nasal passages to ensure no foreign objects are stuck in the nose. Contact a health care practitioner so your toddler can be properly examined. Seeing a dentist also helps in detecting and treating mouth related problems.

Never make a toddler feel self-conscious of his bad breath. Bad breath in toddlers is easy to cure. Once the root of the problem is determined, proper action can be taken.

What you stuff in your toddler’s diaper bag affects the outcome of your day outside the house. Anticipate your trip, know how many hours you will be out and the places you will go so you can adequately pack a diaper bag and have a successful outing with your toddler.

Diapers and Wipes

Your toddler will no longer need as many diaper changes. But, it is still important you pack at least two extra diapers especially if you are spending the entire day out. Chances are, he will wet his pants when he is away from the house even if he is potty-trained. Packing a handful of wet wipes or baby wipes is also very helpful especially now that your toddler is very inquisitive and is constantly on the move. The wipes will make it convenient for you to wipe his hands clean, remove stains and spills or sanitize a highchair.

First-aid Kit

Basic medical supplies such as tissues, band-aids, gauze pads, alcohol, hand sanitizer, rash and teething creams, fever and pain relievers and some medication (if your toddler is regularly taking prescription medicines) should always be available at all times in your toddler’s diaper bag.

Extra Set of Clothes

At this point, most of your toddler’s attention is directed towards playing. Expect a lot of physical play, frequent spills and other childish mishaps which will leave him feeling sticky and grimy and most often lead to an outrage. To combat this, always have at least one complete change of clothes in your toddler diaper bag. A shirt, a pair of shorts or pants, underwear and socks will keep your toddler fresh and clean anywhere you go.

Changing Pad

You never know when or where you will have to change your toddler’s diaper. Public restrooms’ changing pads are just too insanitary which can put your precious one’s health at risk. Bring your toddler’s changing pad. It is lightweight and rollable so you can be sure it will not make your diaper bag bulky.

Books and Toys

Your toddler will get bored waiting for you to finish an errand. To keep him entertained and to help you finish your errands faster, bring at least one book and toy in your diaper bag. Packing a coloring book and toy car will provide a good distraction.

Snacks

Toting a hungry child with you is a nightmare. Prevent tantrums, cries and screams by packing food and drinks. Fill his sippy cup with water, milk or juice. Bring small containers of crackers, cereal, pretzels or fresh fruits.

Wet Bag

Include a wet bag (small, handy and foldable little containers) or a plastic zipper bag in your diaper bag. This is very handy when it comes to storing wet and soiled diapers and clothing and other items you wish to separate from the rest of the contents of your bag.

Comfort Item

There are days when your little one will not stop crying no matter how much you pacify him. This can be embarrassing especially when you are in a crowded place. Bring your toddler’s comfort item (e.g. pacifier, his favorite teddy bear, pillow or blanket) with you to help calm your distressed toddler.

Stick with the essentials and from there; add the items which you think will benefit your toddler. A well-stocked diaper bag is the key to achieving a happy and worry-free time outside your home.