DiscussionHow do I teach my child to spit in the sink after brushing?
Children are natural imitators. In order for your child to learn how to brush properly, it helps for parents or siblings to act as role models. Try brushing your teeth alongside your little one, or enlisting the help of your older children, to demonstrate the proper order of brushing, rinsing, and spitting. The spitting part may not co...
Personal & Social Skills
What are some fun outdoor toys for 2-year-olds?
Now it’s summer, it's great to get children outdoors to play. No matter what your child is interested in, there are lots of fun toys to get your child outside and having fun! If you have a little artist, try sidewalk chalk, or give your child a paintbrush and water to paint rocks (Melissa and Doug’s Jumbo Paintbrushes are easy for todd...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I help my toddler overcome a fear of animals?
As toddlers become more aware of the world around them, they may develop fears. Understand that this is a perfectly normal response given your child's limited range of experiences and ability to express emotions. First, acknowledge your child's fears. Then, reassure your child that you will keep him or her safe ("Mommy will hold you un...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I encourage creativity in my child?
The best way to encourage creativity in young children is to provide them with lots of opportunities to be creative. Give children lots of different experiences (visiting farms, looking at art, talking with relatives, listening to music) from which they may pull ideas. Provide materials and time for open-ended exploration, such as free...
Creativity & Life Skills
How can I tell if my child is color-blind?
Color blindness is characterized by the inability to distinguish between certain colors, most usually green and red, and is more common in males than females. Color blindness is also a genetic, inherited condition so is more likely if there are color blind adults in your family. Although some toddlers know their colors, most do not. Ev...
Personal & Social Skills
What physical milestones should my toddler reach by age 2?
While keeping in mind that every child is different, there are some physical milestones children generally reach by age 2. If your child is not walking alone by age 2, speak with your pediatrician. Most children also pull toys while walking, can carry toys while walking, are running, can stand on tiptoe, kick a ball and climb. If you h...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I promote empathy in my toddler?
Toddlers are developmentally incapable of truly predicting and understanding another person's response to a situation. This means that if a toddler finds something funny, such as dumping a bucket of water on Daddy, he is unable to understand why Daddy does not also find it funny. Children only begin to develop this ability around age 4...
Personal & Social Skills
How can I get my kids to volunteer with me?
Becoming a parent often means rearranging priorities, but it does not mean having to completely lose your sense of self. You may not be able to enjoy all the activities you did before you had kids but it is important to preserve one or two things that give you a creative outlet and boost your own self-esteem. Volunteering is a wonderfu...
Personal & Social Skills
My toddler won't sit still! What can I do to encourage my jitter bug to take a break?
If your toddler won't sit still for stories, crafts or meals, first consider if this is really a problem. Toddlers are very busy at their primary job: learning about the world through exploration. Often, the problem is not that the toddler is too active but rather that our society expects young children to be calm and focused before th...
Personal & Social Skills
When should I bring my toddler to the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to bring their child to the dentist for a first visit when the child's first tooth arrives or by age 1, whichever comes first. If your toddler has not yet visited the dentist, find a pediatric dentist with experience with young patients. To ensure a positive experience, role p...
Personal & Social Skills
Is it okay to keep my kid up late for special events?
In some cultures, children stay up much later than children in the United States. Routines are important for young children. At the same time, attending special family events makes for great childhood memories. Try to have your child get an extra nap in that day, make sure there is a quiet place for your child to safely rest if he or s...
Personal & Social Skills
Should I let my toddler wear whatever she wants?
While it may not be fashionable, take comfort in knowing that your toddler’s new found love for mixing fashion is a sign of an important developmental milestone -- an emerging sense of self. Your toddler now knows what he/she wants (and doesn’t want) and has the words to communicate it to you! Giving toddlers the opportunity to make th...
Personal & Social Skills