Toddler Tips

September 10, 2006 The Transition from Infancy to the Toddler Years. During the first year of life, a baby grows dramatically. At 15 months, a boy weighs about 24 pounds and is 31 inches tall. A girl of the same age is about 22 pounds and 31 inches tall. By the age of two, a boy averages 28 pounds and is about 36 inches tall. The average two-year-old girl weighs 27 pounds and is 34 inches tall. There is significant social and emotional development during the toddler years. Toddlers are very self-centered individuals and have great difficulty understanding the feelings or needs of others. They may play with friends but are likely to compete for attention and toys. They also dont understand the concept of "sharing." As the toddler starts to explore, he/she begins to develop some sense of independence. The yearning for self-reliance creates conflicting emotions for the toddler, who also has a strong need to feel safe and comfortable. On top of the emotional extremes, a toddler still doesnt have the capability to fully express his/her needs. That can lead to some very strong reactions, like anger, outbursts, temper tantrums, or physical acts, like hitting, biting or kicking. Help for Parents There is good reason many people refer to the toddler years as the "terrible twos" and "trying threes." Ari Brown, M.D., a Pediatrician, says toddlers are busy exploring and learning and have no sense of danger or understanding of inappropriate behaviors. Parents, on the other hand, are concerned about safety, setting limits and teaching manners. The opposing points of view can lead to emotional swings and unpredictable behaviors that can frazzle the most even-tempered parent. For example, temper tantrums are a common method of communication for young children. Parents who give in simply validate the behavior as a form of communication. Instead, Brown recommends parents ignore the behavior or ask a child to make his/her needs clear. Picky eating is another concern for many parents. Brown says childrens growth slows dramatically during the toddler years and the need for calories decreases. Children who dont appear to eat may simply not be hungry. Generally, children get all the calories they need. Its also common for a child to ask for the same food at every meal for days on end and then suddenly change their preferences. Focus on healthy snacks and dont pressure children to eat certain foods or entice them with a dessert reward. Toilet training is a big challenge for many parents. Brown says children cant reasonably be potty trained until they develop a personal desire to be clean and understand the body signals associated with the need to use the bathroom. Signs a child is ready for toilet training are hiding when soiling a diaper and asking a parent for a diaper change. In fact, Brown says if a parent waits until a child shows those signs, toilet training can often be accomplished in one day. Brown has co-authored a book, called Toddler 411, to provide information and help guide parents through the toddler years. The book covers growth and developmental issues, behavioral problems, play time, toilet training, sleep issues, picky eating and recognizing attention deficit disorder and other problems. Brown also discusses the need for well-child visits, immunizations and booster shots, first aid, common infectious diseases, organic foods, environmental concerns and alternative medicine. Toddler 411, sells for $12.95. It is available through online and retail book sellers. Information can also be found on the publishers website at http://www.windsorpeak.com/toddler411/default.html. AUDIENCE INQUIRY The book, Toddler 411, sells for $12.95 and is available through online and retail book sellers. Information is also available on the publishers website at http://www.windsorpeak.com/toddler411/default.html Every child has different development growth spurts and behaviors. If you have specific concerns, speak with your childs pediatrician or health care provider. General information is available on the American Academy of Pediatrics public website at http://www.medem.com BIBLIOGRAPHY "Ages 2 to 3," Elk Grove Village: American Academy of Pediatrics, downloaded from public website (http://www.medem.com), August 14, 2006. Ellingson, Katherine, et al., "Parent Identification of Early Emerging Child Behavior Problems," Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, August 2004, Vol. 158, No. 8, pp. 766-772. Fields, Denise, and Ari Brown, M.D., Toddler 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Toddler, Boulder: Windsor Peak Press, 2006. Horodynski, Mildred, and Manfred Stommel, "Nutrition Education Aimed at Toddlers," Pediatric Nursing, September/October 2005, Vol. 31, No. 5, pp. 364-372. Kiel, E., and K. Buss, "Maternal Accuracy in Predicting Toddlers Behaviors and Associations with Toddlers Fearful Temperature," Child Development, March-April 2006, Vol. 77, No. 2, pp. 355-370. Lorber, Michael, and Amy Smith Slep, "Mothers Emotion Dynamics and Their Relations with Harsh and Lax Discipline," Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, September 2005, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 559-568. "The Second Year," Elk Grove Village: American Academy of Pediatrics, downloaded from public website (http://www.medem.com), August 14, 2006. Smith, C., et al., "Predicting Stability and Change in Toddler Behavior Problems," Developmental Psychology, January 2004, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 29-42. Spegman, A., and G. Houck, "Assessing the Feeding/Eating Interaction as a Context for the Development of Social Competence in Toddlers," Issues in Comprehensive and Pediatric Nursing, October-December 2005, Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 213-226. Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister