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A month in the life of Harry Tobias

Harry is always busy. Outside, he loves to kick a football and can now do so with some force. He runs and climbs skilfully and will join in any boisterous play with enthusiasm. Harry also loves the paddling pool, splashing and pouring with bowls and buckets. He would play in it all day if allowed. Indoors, Harry enjoys creative play, especially sticking. He likes to use lots of glue, swirling it round, feeling it with his fingers and pressing it flat, enjoying its squidginess. Eventually he changes his play from exploring the glue to adding 'bits' to his glue picture. He likes to give his pictures as gifts to people, or to have them displayed on the playroom wall. Harry's favourite book is called That's not my tractor, which he likes to have read to him over and over, and at each repeat of the main phrase he adds a lengthy 'No', shaking his head for emphasis.
Harry is always busy. Outside, he loves to kick a football and can now do so with some force. He runs and climbs skilfully and will join in any boisterous play with enthusiasm. Harry also loves the paddling pool, splashing and pouring with bowls and buckets. He would play in it all day if allowed. Indoors, Harry enjoys creative play, especially sticking. He likes to use lots of glue, swirling it round, feeling it with his fingers and pressing it flat, enjoying its squidginess. Eventually he changes his play from exploring the glue to adding 'bits' to his glue picture. He likes to give his pictures as gifts to people, or to have them displayed on the playroom wall.

Harry's favourite book is called That's not my tractor, which he likes to have read to him over and over, and at each repeat of the main phrase he adds a lengthy 'No', shaking his head for emphasis.

A current phase in Harry's language is for him to include a 'd' sound at the start of many of his words. His language is continuing to develop very well and he can make himself understood most of the time.

Questions 1 At what age can children usually kick a ball successfully?

2 Children love the repetition of favourite books. Why might this be?

3 How can water play be kept safe at home in the garden?

Answers to part 27 questions (20 July 2006) 1 A child has to be physically ready to control bladder and bowel, as well as recognise the signs and indicate their needs to their carer. Readiness for this can vary widely, even within the same family. Bowel control is usually attained first. Lots of patience is needed and frequent reminders must be given, with praise for successes.

2 There will always be the potential for an accident when young children are playing, because at times they are unpredictable and do not recognise the possible consequences of their actions. Appropriate safety precautions should always be taken, and Harry and Jasmine were having a very positive play experience with the bricks in their garden, being supervised by their mother, when Harry's thumb was injured.

3 Reassurance was needed (and given) that everyone understood that Jasmine had not meant to hurt Harry, together with a chat about consequences and a clear explanation about playing safely from there on.

By Sandy Green, an early years consultant and freelance trainer. She is also Harry's grandmother.