Our Toddlers |

Reading is one of the most important skills your toddler will learn.  It is a skill that most people use every day. Get your toddler interested in reading and it will make her more excited about learning how to read when the time comes.

When to Read

Bedtime is one of the most popular times for parents to read to their toddlers. Listening to a story helps your toddler wind down from a busy day.  It also gives you a chance to bond with her. Another good time is right before a nap.

However, sleep time isn’t the only time you should read to your toddler. You should set aside a time in the morning or afternoon for reading.  If your toddler asks you to read to her, do so if possible. There’s no such thing as reading to a child too much and always foster her desire to read.

Many libraries and bookstores have story time once or twice a week. If you have the opportunity, take your toddler and pique her interest in reading. Experienced storytellers have a knack for making stories exciting, and seeing all of the other kids enjoying the story will make a good impression.

Make Reading Fun

You don’t have to be a professional storyteller to make reading enjoyable.  The one-on-one attention you give your toddler when reading to her is very important. It allows an opportunity to interact with you that she doesn’t get elsewhere.

When reading, try to use different voices for different characters. If you aren’t about to put her to bed, you could also get Dad, Grandma, or Big Brother to help and have them do the voice for one of the characters.  Use finger puppets or props, anything you can do to get your toddler excited about story time is wonderful.

Let your toddler turn the pages. Point out objects in the pictures and ask her what they are, or ask her to find specific objects. Trying asking what she thinks will happen next, what she thinks of the characters, or what kind of sounds they make. Things like this will get her involved, and that’s one of the most important things you can do to instill a love of reading.

If Your Toddler Won’t Sit Still

Some children, especially very young ones, do not have the attention span required to sit through an entire story.  If this is the case with your child, don’t push.  Read as long as she will listen, and save the rest of the story for later. Also, try the board books that only have a few pages. These work really well as they are colorful, short, and offer you a chance to point out things in the pictures.

Reading to your toddler offers the two of you quality time together. Make things fun and interactive to keep her interested in books.  This will lay the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.

When your toddler begins eating solid foods you get to introduce her to many new things. Of course, there is going to be foods she likes and foods that she doesn’t. Many toddlers develop a dislike to new foods and often want to eat one thing all the time. This usually occurs around the age of two. Many parents are concerned that their toddler is not getting the proper nutrition if they are picky eaters.

Do not worry, toddlers do not need to eat as much as you might think. Around age two, growth slows down which often results in a decrease in appetite. So, your two year old might be full with just a few bites.

Another concern of parents is a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet. While they contain healthy nutrients, these food groups can be trouble spots for many toddlers. But, if your toddler is growing normally, there is usually no need to worry.

Introducing New Foods

Toddlers will often refuse to eat new foods. Try to offer a new food consistently; your toddler will be more likely to try it eventually. Put a small amount of the food you want her to try on her plate a couple of times each week. At some point, she will take a bite.

Another tactic is to ask your toddler to try one bite of a new food. Knowing that she only has to take a single bite makes it less intimidating. If she doesn’t like it, wait a few days and ask her to try a bite again. If she still doesn’t like the food, it’s time to try another type of food. Keep trying foods in the group she is lacking in until you find something she does enjoy.

Also, teach by example by eating the foods you are trying to get your toddler to eat. Be sure to let her know how much you enjoy them. If she doesn’t see other family members eating the foods that she sees on her plate, she won’t be interested in trying them for herself.

When introducing new foods to your toddler, be sure to try one new food at a time. This way, you will know if your child has any allergies to a certain type of food.

Get Your Toddler Involved

Let your toddler choose between items in the same food group. This makes her feel like her opinion matters. You could even let her choose some healthy foods at the grocery store. If it is her idea, she will be more likely to try it.

Letting your child help prepare a meal is another way to get her involved in her food choices. Even young toddlers can somewhat help in the kitchen. Get a recipe book with pictures so you can choose recipes together. Go to the store together and get the ingredients, then come home and prepare the dish. Toddlers tend try things that they helped make.

Picky eating is a common concern of parents. Set a good example with your eating habits and consistently introduce new foods to help your child try new things. Picky eating is usually a phase that your toddler will outgrow.

Purchasing a car seat can be very confusing. Some child car seats are designed to be used for babies, some for toddlers, and some for both. Installation can vary from seat to seat. With the state-to-state differences in car seat laws, and it’s easy to see how parents can easily become confused.

Fortunately for us, car seat manufacturers are required to make the age and weight limits of their seats clear. All new car seats are held to strict government standards. Also, free car seat inspections are becoming widely available, so you can have an expert look at your seat and see if it meets requirements and is installed correctly. Or, you can take your car seat and they will install it for you.

Car Seat Safety Tips

A car seat can protect your toddler, but only if it is used correctly. Here are a few tips to help.

* Always place your car seat in the back seat, that is the safest when place. Back there your baby has less chance of being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash. Some states have laws that require children under certain ages to be in the back seat if possible.

* Do not place your toddler where there is an airbag. Many newer model vehicles have an airbag on/off switch you can use if your toddler must ride in the passenger seat. Make sure it is off if you place your toddler there.

* Any child under 1 year of age should be in a rear facing seat, regardless of weight. After her first birthday, your child can ride in a forward facing toddler seat if she meets the weight requirement.

* For children over 40 pounds, belt positioning booster seats provide maximum safety. An increasing number of states are passing laws requiring the use of booster seats until children weigh anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds. Even if your state doesn’t require them, they are a good idea.

* Read the instructions that come with your child’s safety seat carefully. Usually, installation is easy, however, not all car seats are the same and some can be a little tricky.

* If the car seat is in a vehicle that is involved in a crash, replace it. It could be damaged even if it looks fine. It’s best not to take chances.

* You must use the car seat even if your toddler objects to it. My daughter hates it and usually whines when I put her in it. However, her safety is not negotiable. I’ll let her help me push the latches in, that usually calms her down.

Child car seats are essential to your child’s safety while in the car and they are also required by law for toddlers. Shop around to find a model that is comfortable, durable, and easy to install. Take your time in choosing because you will be using it for a few years.

Here is a link to help you find a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator in your area. http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm

You get to the daycare and see on your report for the day that your little girl was biting. Oh no! You try to stop your toddler from misbehaving and he responds by biting your leg. Good grief! What’s a parent to do?

First of all, try to remain calm. Most toddlers will do this at some point. So you know that it isn’t something you’ve done. Toddlers are still teetering between being babies and being big kids. When they are frustrated or sad, it’s still hard for them to express it with their words. So what do they do? Something they know will get attention. Hitting, biting, and throwing things. Sometimes, biting can be a sign of curiosity or affection. My daughter was lying on my lap and started nibbling on my leg. I thought it was cute until she dug her teeth in! Biting is a phase and it will pass. If your toddler is biting obsessively, however, you may want to speak with her pediatrician.

I knew a lady who said that when her son bit her, she bit him back so he could see how it felt. I honestly thought that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. How can you possibly teach your child not to bite when you’re biting? Try to avoid this. This is the same with hitting your child to teach them not to hit. It just confuses your baby.

Also, don’t laugh or say it’s cute when your toddler is nibbling or giving little bites. I learned the hard way how that can turn painful. Plus this type of encouragement leads to more biting and not just with you. Another thing to avoid is playful chomping on their fingers and toes. I was doing this with my daughter’s puppet until she mimicked me but used her mouth and real bites instead. Ouch!

If your toddler is biting, try offering a healthy snack. Give her some carrot sticks to sink her teeth into. Toddlers will bite sometimes when they getting hungry. If this is your child, load up the celery sticks before heading out.

Try to remember, this will pass. If these simple tactics don’t work, try using a diversion or removing a privilege (no Elmo today because you bit).

Need more helpful tips? Discover the time-tested parenting techniques already proven by tens of thousands of happy families. Visit: http://www.ourtoddlers.com/goodchild.html

Some toddlers drop the pacifier (aka binky) and never pick it up again. They don’t even give it a second thought. If this is your toddler, LUCKY YOU! However, many toddlers are stuck to those things as if they were glued on. My daughter is somewhere in the middle. She doesn’t use it during the day, or at the daycare, but when I give her a nap or put her to bed for the evening, no binky equals no peace.

When trying to determine how to finally end the binky madness once and for all, I did a little digging and here is what I found.

Your toddler’s pacifier is a main source of comfort. As your toddler gets older and begins to experience new things, a pacifier is a reassuring thing. She is experiencing new joys AND new fears so this old habit makes her feel better. Your toddler wants to show her independence, but still needs assurance that all is okay.

Usually by age three, your toddler will no longer need her pacifier. However, this age is not set in stone. And, while there is no absolute time to start weaning her off of it, try to remember that prolonged use of a pacifier can lead to an increased risk of ear infections and may cause her teeth to come in crooked.

If you feel that it’s time, here are a couple of suggestions. Try setting limits. My daughter is now only using it at home and then, only when sleeping. I do occasionally let her have it in the car, but this is only when we are riding around close to her nap time or if we are coming home and it’s close to bedtime. Once she’s out of bed, I ask her to put it away and she does (unless it’s just one of those mornings). When she listens, I thank her and give her a hug. I also tell her that she’s a big girl when she puts it away. Just as you do with other things, remember to always thank or compliment your toddler when they do something like this.

Remember to give a gentle push. Avoid scolding. This will only cause her more anxiety and make her want the pacifier. If you’re having a tough time getting your toddler to give up the binky, try diverting her attention. If she wants to pop it in her mouth, play her favorite cd and get her to sing along. It’s hard to sing with a pacifier in your mouth. Anything that requires her to use her mouth will work. Blowing bubbles, singing, reading, etc.

Also, remember that pacifier use is a sign that she needs comfort. Offer a hug when she asks for the binky. Sit her on your lap and read stories together. Or just sit and rock. Anything to let her know that she’s safe.

Be patient and persistent. She will eventually get over the need for the pacifier. Then you can toss them all out!

Need more helpful tips? Discover the time-tested parenting techniques already proven by tens of thousands of happy families. Visit: http://www.ourtoddlers.com/goodchild.html