Toddler Clinic
The toddler years are fantastic. Your baby has transformed into a tottering, toddling bundle of energy. You’ll notice their words becoming more defined and linking together to make coherent instructions. They’ll be rushing, running and probably falling and crashing as they refine their motor skills. And playtime takes on a whole new dimension with fantasy worlds and make-believe friends.
You’ll also have heard the expression “Terrible Twos” (and Terrible threes or fours for most) where your every suggestion will be challenged, demands will have to be met immedately for fear of instant meltdown, and your once “foodie” baby eyes your cottage pie suspiciously for signs of hidden vegetables. But it’s also a time for you to have fun together. And through many day-to-day experiences you'll guide the development of their character, build their confidence, instill some social niceties and help them on their way to making friends.
Playing
Books and reading With shop displays groaning with books, the temptation is to home in on the familiar faces we knew as children – Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit, Madeline, Orlando the Marmalade Cat. Such legendary characters rightly endure, but what of more recent and emerging talent? What are today’s classics for the under 5s, how do we spot one, and how do we navigate our way around the oceans of children’s literature and related events?
Feeding
Key nutrition basics
By around one year or just after, most babies will...
Development
Potty training setbacks
Overcoming problems when leaving behind nappies.
Toddler Health
Childproofing your home
Once your baby is on the move, different things ar...
Feeding
Encouraging adventurous toddler tastes
Small children can develop obsessive food habits &...
Development
Babies and books
It’s never too early to stimulate a love of words and images through books. To help you on your way, a wonderful set of presents lies in store from Bookstart. It begins at your baby’s eight-month health check, with a canvas bag containing two baby books and various goodies, followed by another bag of books at 18 months and a treasure chest of books at 3 yrs. (If you’ve missed the health visitor, fear not, just contact your library or go to www.bookstart.org.uk.)
Development
How to start potty training
Some people like to encourage potty or toilet training from an early age. You will need to gauge your own child’s readiness, but whenever you do it, make sure you and your partner or any carer are all set to begin training at the same time.
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