Contents
Introduction
1 Your Unique Toddler
Every Child Is Different
Genes and Personality
Your Temperament Counts, Too
2 Physical Skills
Your Toddler’s Changing Body
Learning to Walk and Climb
Stair-Climbing Basics
Hand and Arm Skills
Early Sports Activities
Swimming
3 Emotions
How Your Toddler’s Brain Works
Thinking and Feeling
Learning How to Express Feelings
Fears, Obsessions, and Anger
Encouraging Empathy
Guiding Your Stressed Toddler
Strengthening Resilience
4 Behavior
Toddler Behavior
Breath Holding
Head Banging
Temper Tantrums
Handling Toddler Behaviors
Corrective Guidelines
Politeness Pointers
Communicating with a Toddler
Getting to Yes
5 Language
Language Learning Starts Early
Building Your Toddler’s Vocabulary
Should You Teach Your Toddler to Read?
Baby Sign Language
6 Play
Learning from Play
Television and Toddlers: Good or Bad?
Playing with Other Kids
Playtime and Sharing
Playful Pets
Let’s Pretend!
35 Cures for Toddler Boredom
Making Room for Play
Art Play
Music Play
Party Time!
Play Safety
7 Sleep
Toddler Sleep
Sleep Training
Navigating Nighttime Wakeups
From Crib to Bed
Establishing a Sleep Schedule
Special Bedtime Issues
8 Nutrition
Why Is Nutrition So Important?
Toddler Nutrition 101
Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins
Other Important Nutrients
Feeding Your Younger Toddler
Feeding Your Older Toddler
Your Family Food Makeover
The Vegetarian Toddler
Choking Dangers
9 Self-Care
The Wee Walker’s Wardrobe
Getting Dressed (and Undressed)
Bathtime Fun
Dental Care
Wean on Me
Potty Training 101
10 Child Care and Work
Stay at Home or Go to Work?
Finding the Right Care for Your Toddler
11 Health, Safety, and Ability
Illness and Health Care
Safety
Special Section: Autism and Other Disabilities
Resources
Endnotes