Online community for Grandparents - SoGrand, the website for Grandparents

In the third of our series of articles about becoming a grandparent for the first time SG_Jill, one of SoGrand's resident grandparents shares some tips for looking after a toddler.

Supporting your children as a grandparent is a completely different task when the baby has become a toddler. The change obviously takes place gradually as the child grows up but I think you become very aware of it when you find yourself caring for a little person who can run away from you and answer you back – even a one word ‘no’ comes as a surprise and believe me even the sweetest child soon learns the power of that word!

Personally I think caring for a toddler aged 1 to 3 years is a most rewarding job. You have such influence over the child and can help shape his/her personality, in a positive way, just as an uncaring home influences a child for the rest of their life in a very negative way. The relationship you build with a child at this stage is never broken and is so important. 

As a grandparent you probably have a bit more time to spend playing, reading chatting and generally interacting with the toddlers. Early games can include peek-a-boo, finger rhymes such as round and round the garden, this little piggy went to market etc. It is never too early to share books with a child – there are some wonderful books around for babies especially ones with black and white patterns on each page. You can even download black and white patterns from the internet.

Babies also love to look at photos of real faces so it’s important to share family photos with them – it’s quite amazing at how quickly they begin to recognise their parents. Babies also love rocking and swinging games but it’s probably better to check with the parents before playing these games as there’s an element of risk especially to yourself if the baby is sick on you!!

As the child grows up you can start to share ordinary picture books with them although in my experience most early picture books these days are full of pop-ups, pull tabs and noises!! Children also love to look at catalogues where they see toys and other things that they recognise. I can remember my son's favourite ‘book’ being the Lego catalogue!

It’s so easy to play with a child who starts to interact with you. Most children love to mimic and copy – this, of course is how a child learns. I recently watched my 13 month old grandson copy his mummy opening the kitchen doors using a special magnet (although he was using a plastic bottle top so whilst he had worked out where to place it on the door he didn't manage to get the cupboard open!).

It’s so important to talk to your grandchildren all the time at this stage. You don’t have to stop what you are doing but just describe what you are doing – Grandma is washing the dishes for mummy – can you see the wash basket? Shall we go upstairs and make the beds? I know it takes longer but try to include even the smallest children in your every day chores – give them a drying up cloth and some plastic tumblers, or a little sweeping brush – don’t be sexist make sure you include boys and girls in all activities. A great favourite is washing the car and water play can be such fun and no trouble to clear up if you’re outside!

But the best advice I can give you about looking after a toddler is enjoy it! It can be hard work but it can be so much fun and very rewarding and by sharing experiences you will develop a bond that will form the basis of your relationship as they continue to grow.

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