Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

Remember that he will live up to your "labels." In other words, if you call him "good" he will be good.  Likewise, if you call him or think of him as "bad," he will likely be bad. This is a time of "negativism."  It is normal for him to say "no" even when he really means "yes."  It is a normal and a healthy part of growing up. You have to be smart and avoid asking questions in ways that give him a chance to say "no." Give more positive attention and praise when he is doing what you want him to do.

Remember, your child is now moving from babyhood into his first forms of personhood! He is becoming independent!

	Things Your Child May Do At This Age Try new ways to fit things together Take covers off containers Throw a ball while sitting or standing Explore his world by climbing to things out of reach
SAFETY FIRST! It is time to check your house again for safety. A beginning toddler can stack items to get to counter-tops, etc. Never leave a developing toddler alone! As his attention-span increases, it is unwise to use TV as a babysitter. The toilet bowl will become an interesting play area. Unless you prevent it, he will find ways to make toilet bowl splashes and/or drink the water. This is dangerous not only because of germs, but because he could tip over into the bowl and drown. The same is true of inexpensive small wading pools.  Keep the lid down on toilets and always watch your child when near a pool of any kind. Be on guard against items that are small enough to be swallowed, sharp enough to cut or small and/or heavy enough to throw and hurt others. Choking: Children this age can choke on small parts of toys and food.  The types of food most commonly involved are round, fairly hard chunks of food such as a piece of hot dog, grapes, popcorn, peanuts or hard candy.

Hint:

Learning to hold a book the right way (right-side up) and where to begin (at the front) are skills that your child can begin to understand.

Special Note:Temper tantrums often happen at this age. Do not let your child rule you with temper tantrums. You may have to pick the child up, go into another room or out of the store. Until he calms down, hold him gently but firmly and tell him in simple words that he cannot do what he is doing. Then after a cooling off time (5 to 10 minutes), your child can return to his former activity.  Hitting and shaking are not truly effective and can seriously hurt your child.

Things You Can Do Everyday To Help Your Child Grow

Read to your child every day.  Talk with him about the stories you read.  Encourage him to turn the pages. At first, he will turn 2 or 3 pages at a time.

Your child will want to do what you do. If you read a lot, he will want to read a lot.

Give your child a large piece of paper and a large crayon and allow him to scribble.

Work with him to solve simple puzzles that have only a few big pieces. Let him pick the pieces up and guide his hand as he places them.

Expose him to different kinds of music. Teach him to dance to the rhythm of the music. You can make or buy rhythm instruments such as drums, bells and sticks.

You should allow your child to spend time with other children, especially grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members.

Create a box of dress-up clothes that he can play with. Use hats, purses, socks, jewelry (nothing smaller than 1 ½ inches) for make believe play. Be sure that the clothes are easy to get on and off.

Find a safe place outdoors for digging. Always supervise him. Use old buckets, spoons, plastic bowls, plastic strainers, cans without sharp edges and plastic cups.

Let your child imitate you while cleaning up around the house. He can put away toys, pretend to dust with a clean cloth and even push the vacuum cleaner with you.

Limit TV viewing. Encourage him to watch educational and developmental programs such as Sesame Street. As your child's attention span increases, it is very unwise to use the TV as a babysitter!