Talking and Hearing
- Read and sing to your child often.
- Talk about and describe pictures in books.
- Use simple words with your child.
- Tell your child the words for her feelings.
- Ask your child simple questions, confirm her answers, and explain simply.
- Use simple, clear words to tell your child what you want her to do.
Your Child and Family
- Create time for your family to be together.
- Keep outings with a toddler brief—1 hour or less.
- Do not expect a toddler to share.
- Give older children a safe place for toys they do not want to share.
- Teach your child not to hit, bite, or hurt other people or pets.
- Your child may go from trying to be independent to clinging; this is normal.
- Consider enrolling in a parent-toddler playgroup.
- Ask us for help in finding programs to help your family.
- Prepare for your new baby by reading books about being a big brother or sister.
- Spend time with each child.
- Make sure you are also taking care of yourself.
- Tell your child when he is doing a good job.
- Give your toddler many chances to try a new food. Allow mouthing and touching to learn about them.
- Tell us if you need help with getting enough food for your family.
Safety
- Use a car safety seat in the back seat of all vehicles.
- Have your child’s car safety seat rear-facing until your child is 2 years of age or until she reaches the highest weight or height allowed by the car safety seat’s manufacturer.
- Everyone should always wear a seat belt in the car.
- Lock away poisons, medications, and lawn and cleaning supplies.
- Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if you are worried your child has eaten something harmful.
- Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs and guards on windows on the second floor and higher.
- Move furniture away from windows.
- Watch your child closely when she is on the stairs.
- When backing out of the garage or driving in the driveway, have another adult hold your child a safe distance away so he is not run over.
- Never have a gun in the home. If you must have a gun, store it unloaded and locked with the ammunition locked separately from the gun.
- Prevent burns by keeping hot liquids, matches, lighters, and the stove away from your child.
- Have a working smoke detector on every floor.
Toilet Training
- Signs of being ready for toilet training include
- Dry for 2 hours
- Knows if he is wet or dry
- Can pull pants down and up
- Wants to learn
- Can tell you if he is going to have a bowel movement
- Read books about toilet training with your child.
- Have the parent of the same sex as your child or an older brother or sister take your child to the bathroom.
- Praise sitting on the potty or toilet even with clothes on.
- Take your child to choose underwear when he feels ready to do so.
Your Child’s Behavior
- Set limits that are important to you and ask others to use them with your toddler.
- Be consistent with your toddler.
- Praise your child for behaving well.
- Play with your child each day by doing things she likes.
- Keep time-outs brief. Tell your child in simple words what she did wrong.
- Tell your child what to do in a nice way.
- Change your child’s focus to another toy or activity if she becomes upset.
- Parenting class can help you understand your child’s behavior and teach you what to do.
- Expect your child to cling to you in new situations.
What to Expect at Your Child’s 2 Year Visit
We will talk about
- Your talking child
- Your child and TV
- Car and outside safety
- Toilet training
- How your child behaves
