What to expect

What you can do

Oh Brother!

Or Sister! If your toddler was an only child, a new sibling might be on the way or already in the pic­ture. This is a wonderful gift, but can also bring some challenges.

• Prepare your child with books about a new baby and having siblings.
• Let her help you care for the baby.
• Make special time for each of your children.

I’m Scared!

Your toddler’s imagination is blossoming, but he is often not sure about the difference between reality and fantasy. This may lead to new fears.

• Help him talk about his fears. Putting feelings into words can help him understand and feel in control of them. Knowing how he feels will also help you provide the reassurance he needs.
• Never belittle your child or his fears. This may lead to increased fearfulness.

Let me try

Your toddler is becoming capable of doing more and more things by himself.

• Provide opportunities for him to do some things on his own--get dressed, brush his teeth, even use the potty and wash his hands.
• Have him use his skills to help around the house—putting away clothes, setting the table, or picking up leaves in the yard. This will help him feel important.

I’m unique

Your child is beginning to no­tice similarities and differences among people.

• Help your child understand and appreciate his own culture and background, as well as those of others. Talk respectfully about others who are different from you.
• Expect some embarrassing moments when your child comments on a difference he notices. Use them as opportunities to explain, without judgment, that people are different in many ways – size, skin color, style of dress, etc.

Batteries not included (or necessary!)

You may be tempted to buy specialized toys, games, or videos, especially those that claim to make your baby smarter.

• Resist the urge to buy based on product claims.
• Choose toys that encourage imagination and that will “grow” with your child like books, play food, dolls, toy ani­mals, and crayons.
• Remember—you are her favorite toy!

Catch Me If You Can

Your child can do a lot with his body: run, jump, climb, spin, and now even play on riding toys and tricycles.

• Limit TV time and head outside. Take hikes, walk to the play­ground, or throw the ball.
• Talk about up, down, over, under, high, and low as you play. Go up and down the slide, climb over and run under the jungle gym.

Now You’re Talkin’

After waiting all this time for your child to talk, you may wonder when your 2-year-old will ever stop. She now uses longer sentences and talks anytime, anywhere.

• Keep the conversation going. Talk about what you are doing together. Ask her about her thoughts and ideas. “What part did you like in the book?” “Why do you think the bear was sad?”
• Read books, sing songs, and play rhyming games with real and nonsense words. This helps develop language skills.

Why?

“Why” may become one of her favorite new words because your curious toddler is learning about the logical connections between things. She begins to understand, “If I write with crayon on the walls, mommy take the crayon away!”

• When your child asks, “Why?” ask her for her ideas before you answer. This builds her thinking skills. It also helps you know how much information she needs. A simple response might be all that is necessary.
• Be patient with the many questions that come. Understanding the “why” of things is a big leap in your child’s thinking.