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