A month in the life of Harry Tobias
Sandy Green
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Harry's play currently involves a great interest in bags of any kind, filling them with treasures and carrying them on his arm. He has also developed a new game with his stacking beakers. He tries very hard to sit on them, turning round to see exactly where they are before lowering himself carefully on to them. He has a success rate of about 50 per cent, and is very pleased when he manages it. He spends longer positioning himself than he ever does staying there! Harry has been copying his older sister's actions, playing 'Row, row the boat' with a teddy. He dances with his arms out too, turning round and round, often asking for music to be played.
Harry has been copying his older sister's actions, playing 'Row, row the boat' with a teddy. He dances with his arms out too, turning round and round, often asking for music to be played.
Harry had his inguinal hernia (in the groin) operated on this month. As his operation was early in the day, he was woken by his parents at midnight and offered some cereals, to try to avoid any distress due to hunger in the morning. Harry ate two bowls and then asked for toast!
Although the surgeon asked Harry's parents to attempt to keep him calm and inactive for a day or two after his operation, Harry tried to climb out of the hospital cot as soon as he came round from the anaesthetic. Once home he continued to climb on and over furniture as though nothing had happened.
However, his operation was successful and his stitches were removed after a week with no damage done.
Questions 1 Harry enjoys attending a toddler group. How might this help his development?
2 Harry's mum is expecting another baby. How can Harry be helped to prepare for the new arrival?
Answers to part 18 questions (15 September 2005) 1 When a toddler moves into a bed for the first time, it is important to ensure that they will not hurt themselves if they roll off the edge as they sleep or turn. A bed guard is ideal, as is removing toys and hard objects away from the bed. If beds are against radiators, the heat needs to be carefully monitored and a radiator cover installed. The new-found freedom of a bed can mean easier access to other parts of the home, so stair gates need to be in place and kitchen doors safely fastened.
2 A hernia is a protrusion of an organ through a weakened area in the muscle or tissue that usually contains it.
By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Harry's grandmother.
