Most children become interested in learning to use the toilet on their own. A potty on the floor that the child can use herself helps her to get started. Give her lots of praise for trying and for every success. Don’t scold for accidents. Praise efforts to use the toilet. Most children will stop dirtying before they stop wetting their diapers. Most will be able to stay dry during the day before they can stay dry at night. Many children cannot stay dry at night until they are about 3 years old. Sometimes children seem to be toilet trained and then they start wetting or soiling again. This can happen when the children are upset about some- thing like a new baby in the family, pressure from adu

Giving your child a new sibling could be the best gift they ever receive. As adults, many of us consider our brothers and sisters to be our best friends and our fiercest protectors. Being raised together means sharing in so many experiences and having endless memories in common. There is no denying the sibling relationship is unique and special. But what happens when that new baby brother or sister first shows up at the house? Your young child probably isn’t quite able to grasp the glorious sibling bond that awaits him; in fact, he’s likely not interested in sharing mom and dad at all. Depending on their age, children will react differently to a new baby sibling. Don’t be surprised if you se

When a child is under 3 years of age, hearing is tested by observing your child’s response to sound and her ability to learn new words. When children turn three, they can usually learn how to take hearing screening tests. If your child has a hearing test, be patient. He may not understand what to do in order to cooperate fully. Infants and toddlers frequently have colds that can lead to ear infections. If ear infections are not detected and treated, the toddler may have hearing problems. Catching hearing problems early is the key to successful treatment and the prevention of hearing loss. A hearing problem can interfere with the development of normal language and learning. Parents can protec

Active toddlers need 3 meals and 3 snacks every day. For more information on feeding your child healthful food, read Health and Nutrition Information for Preschoolers. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/node/5815 He should also be drinking plenty of low-sugar liquids —like water, 100% juice, or non-fat (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. If you are still serving your toddler whole milk, now is the time to start switching to non-fat (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. It offers the same nutrition benefits and vitamins without the extra fat that was needed last year. https://choosemyplate-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/audiences/1000calspattern.pdf Toddlers learn a lot by watching adults. They often imit

"The only thing better than reading about this full day of play is having one in real life." -Kirkus Reviews What makes a good story? One little girl thinks it's a princess with magic powers that can (ta-da!) overcome any obstacle. Her friend thinks it's (dun dun duh!) a host of dragons, pirates, and volcanos that cause total chaos. But as each of their stories intertwine and interact, these two young storytellers soon learn that a good story needs both destruction and triumph, conflict and resolution. Ta-Da! is an irresistible celebration of imagination, storytelling, and the joys of collaboration.

When you are with your child, say his name to him in songs and stories, using his last name, too. Make up games where he tells his name. Show him how much you enjoy it when he names himself in photos.

To create the giant rainbow, I used seven cans of shaving cream.  I bought mine at the dollar store so it cost me less than $10. I then dyed the shaving cream using food coloring and liquid watercolors.  The orange and blue were dyed with liquid watercolors as they happen to be the only two colors I have on hand.  I am buying them one at a time with the 40% coupon from Michaels, so it's taking me awhile!  Don't judge...haha.  Anyway, I found that the shaving cream that was colored using the liquid watercolors was much more vibrant.

Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. J

Thumb sucking is one way a young child comforts herself. If you suddenly stop your child from sucking her thumb or fingers, she may have trouble calming herself. Thumb sucking usually disappears on its own, especially if the child is not pressured to give it up. Sometimes parents pull thumbs and fingers out of their young children’s mouths because they are worried about dental problems. There is little chance of a problem until the child’s permanent teeth erupt at 5 or 6 years of age. Even then, there may be no ill effects from thumb sucking every once in awhile. If you are worried about your child’s thumb sucking, keep track of how often she sucks and for how long. Take these notes for seve

Toddlers need regular bedtimes and special bedtime routines —like teeth cleaning, stories, and hugs. Parents need regular bedtimes for their children, so that they can have some time to relax. Bedtime is not always sleep time. By following a routine, you can help your toddler learn to go to bed and be quiet at set times. Don’t worry if she does not always go to sleep as soon as she goes to bed. Sometimes toddlers need some time to wind down and relax before they get sleepy. Try doing something relaxing before bedtime with your toddler —like reading a book or rocking. Rough-housing and watching TV before bed can make it hard for children to go to sleep. Try to do the same things every evening

While families are no stranger to stress, researchers have found the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is adding to the burden many families are already struggling to carry. Specifically, a nationwide survey found the loss of child care during the pandemic is taking a toll on children and as well as their parents. Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found in a study recently published in Pediatrics that "parents and children have been substantially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." More than 1 in 4 parents reported worsening mental health and 1 in 7 parents reported worsening behavioral health for their children since th

Parents can help toddlers learn new words by: Repeating the names of things over and over again, using simple words and short sentences. Tell your child what you are doing and what your child is doing. Don’t use baby talk. Letting your child get things for you. Name what you want and ask your child to go to other rooms to find it. Going for walks and taking along a bag to collect leaves, rocks, flowers, and/or pieces of wood. When you get back home, look at these and name them. You can play this learning game another way: Choose some things she might enjoy feeling, and put them in the bag. Examples would be a smooth rock, a rough rock, a piece of wood, a small stuffed animal, some pieces of

Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book written and illustrated by real-life best friends. This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream... Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316390968/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0D

Toddlers grow fast. Regular health exams will help the doctor spot problems, and take care of problems early — while they still can be fixed. If you do not have a doctor for your child, ask your local health department. They can give you the name of a doctor or health department clinic where your child can get a complete exam. Keep your child’s health record in a safe place where you can find it easily. You will need the record when you enroll your child in day care, nursery school, or kindergarten. If your child needs special food or medication while away from home, the health record gives caregivers the correct medical information. Toddlers should get health checkups at about 12 months, 15

Nutrition for you is important during breastfeeding because your body is working hard to produce milk for the baby. You’re using a lot more calories than normal to make that milk and you want to make sure that you’re eating well and staying hydrated. Your baby may also have some reactions to certain foods you are eating through your milk. It is not uncommon for babies to have excess gas or discomfort from some trigger foods such as the brassica family, which includes broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. Cow’s milk dairy can also cause digestive problems for babies. If your baby is experiencing severe diaper rash, speak with your pediatrician about what may be causing it

Your baby may begin to show interest in food between 5-6 months, but there is no need to rush it if they are still just interested in nursing. Some babies don’t really get excited by solid foods until nine or ten months. You can begin experimenting with your baby“tasting” solid foods, but you don’t need to be giving them sizeable portions. Additionally, it isn’t necessary to supplement your baby’s diet with water, juice or cow’s milk if you are still breastfeeding. Breastmilk should still be your baby’s primary food source. Solid foods should make up less than 25% of your baby’s diet by the time they reach twelve months old. Two Tips for Complementing Breastmilk with Solid Foods Offer a tast

Children who hear “put downs” can come to feel hopeless, and may stop trying to cooperate. When your child misbehaves, she needs “help-outs” instead of “put-downs.” “Help-outs” make her feel you love her and you know she can learn to do better. “Putdowns” do just the opposite. Here are some “help-outs”: Here’s a sponge. I’ll help you clean it up. That’s hard to do. Let me do it with you. I’m proud of you for trying that. Hold it with both hands next time and it may not fall. That is a dangerous thing to do. You could fall. Let me hold your hand. Avoid “put-downs” like: I knew that would happen if I let you do it alone. Can’t you do anything right? You’re being a brat. Why do you always drop

Some moms find that breastfeeding in public is easy for them, however, some moms do not feel comfortable with the idea. No matter how you feel about it, you will likely be faced with a time when breastfeeding in public is much easier than finding a place to nurse privately. In the United States, there are many laws protecting the right to breastfeed in public or even in private spaces such as business, airports, etc. If you are ever asked to stop breastfeeding by someone, let them know that you have the legal right to continue. Two Tips for Breastfeeding in Public If you feel uncomfortable or need to have privacy while breastfeeding, invest in a nursing scarf or wrap that can offer you cover

Stress can make your body feel bad. Over the long term, stress can cause real damage. Over the short term, you may feel headaches, tight muscles, backaches, or a stiff neck. Sometimes stress makes us breathe poorly, and we don’t get enough oxygen. Deep breathing can make you feel better, and it can give you a “time-out” to help you handle whatever is causing the stress. Close your eyes and sit up straight. Breathe in, slowly and deeply. Count silently to two — hold the air in for another count — then let the air out slowly. Repeat this slow, deep breathing for 5 to 10 minutes if you can. You will be more relaxed when you finish. When your muscles are sore but you don’t have time to go swimmi

You're probably exhausted, you haven't showered, you don't know which way is up and which way is down. That's okay! During the "4th trimester" or postpartum period, moms are just beginning to get a handle on life with their new baby. The most important thing is that you and baby and resting, well-fed, and spending lots of time cuddling. You may be feeling antsy to get back into old routines, but cross everything off your calendar and just relax if you can! If you're experiencing any pain or discomfort during breastfeeding, fit in a visit with your lactation consultant to help resolve the issue. It can be as simple as finding a new position to hold your baby while nursing. Three Tips for the