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DEVELOPMENT

Daily Activities:

In process/finished potty training
Climb up and down stairs independently
Can kick a ball
Can mostly dress themselves
Copies squares and circles
Testing limits
Rides a tricycle

Emotional:

Tries to negotiate conflict
Tests limits and questions everything – “Why?”
Magical thinking

Social:

Cooperative and imaginative play
More willing to share
Plays dress up
More independent

Mental:

Correctly names 3-4 colors
Beginning to count
Speaking in full sentences

FEEDING

Family meals continue to be important to your child. Allow your child to participate/”help” in the preparing of food and table. Keep the T.V. off and put tablets/phones aside during meals. Talk with one another. Practice using manners. Be sure to offer a wide variety of foods even to picky eaters. Stick with mostly water and 2% or whole milk; no more than 6 oz of juice per day.

TOLIET TRAINING

It is important not to put too many demands on the child or shame your child about training. Be positive and encouraging with successful and even-tempered and be matter-of-fact. Continue at your child’s pace—stay out of the way.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Childproof your home. Go through every room in your house and remove anything that is valuable, dangerous or messy. Preventative childproofing will stop many possible discipline problems. Don’t expect a child not to get into things just because you say no.

Teach and lead. Say yes whenever possible, and when it’s not, practice consistently with discipline and expectations.

Books recommended: 1-2-3 Magic

Brushing teeth 2x daily. No toothpaste until child capable of spitting.

Time outs should be 1 minute longer than age. When time out is over, do not attempt to make your child “understand” what they did was wrong. Just allow them to reenter on their own.

Consistency of schedule is important especially at around nap and bedtime routine.

It’s beyond time for the pacifier to be gone, just sayin’.

SAFETY TIPS

Avoid Burns and Fires

Practice your fire escape plan.
Check your smoke detectors. Replace batteries if necessary.
Check food temperatures carefully.
Never allow smoke near your baby.
Keep hot appliances and cords out of reach.
Keep all electrical appliances out of the bathroom.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Don’t let your child use the stove, microwave, hot curlers or the iron.
Turn the water heater down to 120°F (50°C)

Car Safety

Use an approved toddler car seat correctly.
Sometimes toddlers may not want to be placed in car seats. Gently, but consistently, put your child into the car seat every time you ride in the car.
Never leave your child alone in the car.
Parents should always wear seat belts.

Pedestrian Safety

Hold onto your child when you are around traffic.
Provide a play area where balls and riding toys cannot roll into the street.
Always hold hands in parking lots.
Swim lessons are fun, but children are not capable of truly independent swimming until 3.5-4 years old. ALWAYS watch when in water
Teach your child not to climb on furniture or cabinets.
Lock doors to dangerous areas like the basement.