Kid Scoops & Stuff

TODDLERS are tricky --they've grown enough to have their own ideas and wants, but their bodies and emotions aren't on the same page. To help you navigate the toddler years, from tantrums to toilet training and that first toddler bed, we offer lots of great info on toddler behavior, milestones, activities, nutrition, sleep, and more, from experts and parents alike.

Your 1-year-old --now, your toddler's play will probably start shifting from mastering fine motor skills (got that thumb-&-forefinger grasp down to a science) to exercising larger muscles --some children this age have an attention span of two to five minutes for quiet activities --although your child's favorite games may not be all that quiet. Your child probably thinks it's fun to push, throw, and knock stuff down --give you toys as well as take one, and likes to put things in containers and dump them out again. This works well with blocks in buckets or boxes and with small plastic containers, which can nest inside one another.

Your 15-month-old --is growing up fast these days, walking, talking a little, and probably even using a spoon or fork when eating. Every game, whether it's pointing to different body parts; or when you ask about putting objects into containers and taking them out again, these "exercises" teach about the world. Primarily, -- of learning autonomy --not just being an extension of you. How can you tell if your child has grasped this concept? Watch your child's face while in front of a mirror: if not trying to reach out and touch the "other" baby, your little dear gets it.

Your 18-month-old --is surer on the feet, loves to climb all over your furniture, and can connect with a kick ball if concentrating --has a clear memory of an object well after you remove it from vision. Take advantage of this new capability by playing hide-and-seek with a favorite toy. There may be days when all that physical energy is more than you can handle. Rather than fight it, after all --you can't do anything to change it: turn on some music, grab your little one, and invent some new dance steps together.

Your 21-month-old --is probably still interested in furniture; but now, assisting with chores, and using play shelves --also able to dress, wash and dry hands, or brush teeth with a little help. Your angel is also getting closer to toilet training between now and the second birthday --your toddler will recognize when it is time "to go" --you'll also notice signs, even after the realization. That doesn't necessarily mean your toddler will make it, but is getting closer to it. Toddlers at this age like things "just so". Respect preferences and interests and try to give in on the little things, like which jelly to use on toast or what to wear. Make it clear that some things, including behaviors, affect safety --and are not up for negotiation. Establish set times for napping, eating, and going to bed --your dear will feel more secure and in control. If your child knows what to expect every day, you'll probably encounter less resistance. You'll be amazed that the "terrible twos" don't have to be that way --or not so much.