Healthy Little Smiles: Toddlers
Toddlers: 1 to 2 years
There’s a lot going on in toddler development!
Around this time, toddlers love exploring. They are pointing to objects they know, ‘talking’ putting sounds together, and looking at picture books. They are keen to do more things for themselves. It’s a great time to start talking about the things we do every day to keep our body clean and healthy.
Good dental health habits at this age
Key milestones at this age is teething - children will usually have their full set of 20 by 2½ to 3 years of age.
Like any developmental milestone, the point at which children get their teeth is an individual thing.
As soon as the first teeth appear it’s time to include some dental care practices to protect teeth and prevent tooth decay:
Opportunities for learning and teaching
From birth, children begin taking an interest in their bodies. From their early explorations of their fingers and toes, the next logical step is ongoing learning about healthy bodies, which involves the development of everyday healthy habits and routines. It’s a great time to help children learn how to care for them, and how to be healthy.
Generally, these activity ideas simply to provide opportunities for toddlers to become familiar with everyday dental health practices and help them to build a positive attitude:
- to create interest and awareness of parts of our body (our head, face and teeth)
- to be aware of names of body parts
- to be aware of what our body parts do – smile, eat, talk
- to be familiar with brushing teeth (inside, outside, top, bottom)
- to explore our senses
Outcome 3: Wellbeing
Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing
Children show an increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles and good nutrition
Children show increasing independence and competence in personal hygiene, care and safety for themselves and others
Talking points
- Teeth are an important part of our body
- Teeth have three important jobs — smiling, talking and eating
- There are lots of things we can do to look after our teeth
- Brushing our teeth helps keep them clean and healthy
- I can brush my teeth. We brush our teeth every morning and every night before bed
- It’s good to have your teeth checked by a dentist
- A dentist is a friendly doctor who helps you take care of your teeth
Activity ideas (and printables)
- take pictures of the children’s smiles – print and display (and help children label)
- use the local Aboriginal language
- use the languages families use at home
- at mealtime or snack time, talk about teeth – why we have teeth and how we use our teeth
- images of animals using their teeth – sheep, lions/tigers, anteaters
DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Let's talk teeth
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DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Show me your smile
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DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Brush off monsters
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DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Let's brush
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DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Silly smile mask | |
Watch a video | |
WATCH Teeny Tiny Stevies sing I Ate a Rainbow DOWNLOAD Teeny Tiny Stevies I ate a Rainbow Chart | |
Visit to the dentist, by ABC Kids, Early Education (00 mins) Open Sesame Song by Sesame Street, Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me Count My Teeth (Counting Video for Toddlers) by Toddler Fun Learning (just watch the first 1:20) The Dentist (Series 2 Episode 18) by Peppa Pig (watch from 2:45) ‘Let’s brush’ with Tash and Chomper, by DHSV (00 mins) How to brush your teeth by British Council | |
Read a book | |
DOWNLOAD list of storybooks with dental health themes | |
Sing songs | |
DOWNLOAD list of songs with dental health themes | |
For more songs |
Share tips and resources with families
Share up-to-date and reliable dental health information as well as practical tips and resources to help families encourage healthy habits at home.
Picture guides | |
DOWNLOAD Caring for baby's teeth and gums: under 18 months DOWNLOAD How to brush your child's teeth: 18 months to 6 years (see page 2 of Caring for baby's teeth and gums) Find translated versions here | |
DOWNLOAD ‘Tooth Tips’ - 12 to 18 months DOWNLOAD 'Tooth Tips' - 18 months to 6 years Find translated versions here | |
Let's make toothbrushing fun! | |
We’re making toothbrushing fun! (we know it can be tricky!)DOWNLOAD Let’s brush! child-friendly instructions DOWNLOAD It’s fun to brush! toothbrushing chart DOWNLOAD My Brushing Chart by Aboriginal Artist DOWNLOAD Let’s get ready for bed bedtime routine chart | |
Videos | |
VIDEO: How to brush with your toddler or preschooler by DHSV (45 secs) VIDEO: Toothbrushing with your toddler or preschooler by DHSV (30 secs) | |
Books and songs | |
Keep the conversation going at homeShare a list of dental-themed books Share list of songs DOWNLOAD Five things to do at bedtime - sing, talk & read at bedtime | |
Your local dental clinic | |
Help families find their local dental clinicClick here to find your nearest public dental clinic
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Social media kits | |
Collection of templates and images to share via social media posts or parent portal DOWNLOAD Talking about teeth: Social Media Kit DOWNLOAD introduction to Social Media Kit | |
DOWNLOAD Keeping Teeth Healthy: Social Media Kit | |
DOWNLOAD articles to cut-and-paste in newsletters, etc |
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative partnership with families and communities
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety