Choosing a toothbrush

Take your tot to the store and let him choose his own toothbrush and toothpaste. A colorful character on the brush’s handle may not inspire you, but it might make all the difference in coaxing your toddler to brush his teeth.

Infants and sleep

Infants sleep 16 to 20 hours per day, and as time goes on, they outgrow sleeping all day long and only take two naps — one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Gardening with toddlers

Gardening can be real fun with toddlers and preschoolers. It allows them to get messy, play with mud and water and finally, see something they’ve planted blossom and grow.

Maintaining eye contact

Make sure to maintain eye contact when you express your feelings to your child.

Toddler’s speech

Worried about your toddler’s speech? Check with your local school district. Most districts offer an Early Intervention Program. They will screen your child and offer services if needed.

Marble painting Activity

Place a piece of paper in the bottom of a box. Put 2 marbles in a container of paint. Have your toddler scoop the marbles out of the paint and drop them into the box. When your toddler moves the box around, the marbles paint a very artistic painting!

Vaccination reactions

When your child receives a vaccination, ask the nurse or doctor for a list (usually from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of reactions or side effects that might occur. Common, mild, and moderate reactions from most vaccines may include swelling, tenderness, fever, headaches, and even crankiness and fatigue.

Calories and toddlers

Toddlers from one to three years need between 1,000 and 1,300 calories a day, yet they may not eat this amount every day. Aim for a nutritionally-balanced week, not a balanced day.

20 month milestone

By 6-20 months your toddler understanding has increased to a point where he can carry out simple requests like “Give me the Cup”.

Medicine as candy

Never refer to medicine as candy – you’re setting up a potentially dangerous confusion. Tell it like it is.

Potty training and accidents

Don’t reprimand or punish in events of "accidents". It will take them some time to master this whole toilet-training business.

Drooling and teething

Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby’s chin.

Traveling with young kids

When traveling with young kids break the trip into smaller, one-day or half-day segments. End each drive at a mini-destination such as a special meal stop, tourist attraction or park. You’ll add fun as well as instill a feeling of progress.

Renting cariers at the airport

Families who travel by air should consider buying or renting a CARES airplane child harness for their toddlers. Significantly less bulky than a car seat, the CARES (it stands for Child Aviation Restraint System) child harness is easy to pack and unpack from carry on luggage.

Early baby talk

Before 12 Months of age it’s important for kids this age to be watched for signs that they’re using their voices to relate to their environment. Cooing and babbling are early stages of speech development.

Sock puppet activity

Make sock puppets. No need to make this an elaborate craft project. Simply put a sock over your hand and pretend to talk to your toddler. Encourage your toddler to talk back!

Chalenge your child

Build on your child’s strength by encouraging him or her to play with a challenging toy.

Coming clean about shots

When getting a shot, kids really DO want to know why immunizations are required, and school-aged children will benefit from learning about childhood illnesses and what vaccines can do.

Power of broccoli

Broccolis are rich in vitamin A and C and with every bite, your child will get healthier and stronger. Many kids like it raw or lightly steamed. You can use the vegetables in other dishes as well.

Interest in playing

Shortly after your child’s first birthday cake, he will most likely show an interest for ball play. Initially, he will throw the ball around, waiting for someone else to pick it up and give it to them or picking it up on their own.