Positive Parenting

• Talk to your baby. It is soothing to hear your voice.

• When your baby makes sounds, answer him by repeating and adding words. This will help him learn to use language.

• Read to your baby. This helps her develop and understand language and sounds.

• Sing to your baby. Play music. This helps your baby develop a love for music and math.

• Praise your baby and give him lots of loving attention.

• Spend time cuddling and holding your baby. This helps her feel cared for and secure.

• The best time to play with your baby is when he’s alert and relaxed. Watch your baby closely for signs of being tired or fussy so that you can take a break.

Parenting can be hard work! Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is easier to enjoy your new baby and be a positive, loving parent when you are feeling good yourself.

Developmental Milestones

1-2 years

During this time, your child is becoming increasingly more mobile, and aware of himself and his surroundings. Her desire to explore new objects and people is also increasing. During this stage, your toddler will show greater independence, begin to show defiant behavior, recognize himself in pictures or a mirror, and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children.

Your toddler will also be able to recognize names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions

Positive Parenting

• Keep reading to your toddler daily

• Ask her to find objects for you or name body parts and objects.

• Play matching games with your toddler.

• Encourage him to explore and try new things.

• Help to develop your toddler’s language by talking with her.

• Encourage your toddler’s curiosity and ability to recognize common objects by taking field trips together to the park or a bus ride.  

Developmental Milestones  

Toddlers (2-3 years) 

Because of your child’s growing desire to assert her independence, this stage is often called the “terrible twos.” However, this can be an exciting time for you and your toddler. He will experience huge intellectual, social, and emotional changes that will help him to explore his new world, and make sense of it 

During this stage, your toddler will be able to follow two- or three-phrase commands, sort objects by shape and color, imitate the actions of adults and playmates, and express a wide range of emotions   

Positive Parenting

• Set up a special time to read books with your toddler.

• Encourage your child to engage in pretend play.

• Play parade or follow the leader with your toddler.

• Help your child to explore her surroundings by taking her on a walk or wagon ride.

• Encourage your child to tell you his name and age.

• Teach your child simple songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, or other cultural childhood rhymes.                 

• Encourage your toddler to sit when eating and to chew her food thoroughly

• Check toys often for loose or broken parts

• Encourage your toddler not to put pencils or crayons in his mouth when coloring or drawing

• Never leave your toddler near or around water (that is, bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, whirlpools, or the ocean) without someone watching her.

• Never drink hot objects while your child is sitting on your lap. Sudden movements can cause a spill.

Developmental Milestones 

(Preschoolers 3-5 old)

As your child grows, his world begins to open up. He will become more independent and begin to focus more on adults and children outside of the family and he will want to explore and ask about his surroundings.

At this stage he should be able to identify between his parents, male and female, make new friends and he would want to identify with a group or family.  His interactions with family and those around her will help to shape his personality and individual ways of thinking and moving.

Your child will become more independent and would want to dress and undress himself, maybe choose his lunch and books. 

During this stage your child will be able to use safety scissors, play with other children, recall part of a story, sing a song, trace drawings, engage in puzzles, identify and match shapes and objects and do dot to dot sequences. 

He or she will repeat what is said so make sure to say the right things around him as he learns from you.  Children at this stage will read predictable picture text, respond to sounds and music, participate in choral speaking, develop a memory for text, engage in and start conversations, take and deliver a simple message and they will be asking 'why, what and how'.

They should be able to observe things in their environment like animals, plants, uniforms, flowers and they can understand the changes in the weather and what it means. 

This is also a good time to teach good personal hygiene habits to your children such as washing hands and explaining to them how germs are spread and also speak to them about healthy food versus junk food.  They will understand.

When driving or walking with your infant, you can begin to teach him about road safety and get him in the right habits from young.

Positive Parenting

• Continue to read to your child. Nurture her love for books by taking her to the library or bookstore

• Let your child help with simple chores.

• Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps him to learn the value of sharing and friendship.

• Help your child’s language by speaking to her in complete sentences and in “adult” language. Help her to use the correct words and phrases.

• Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child. Model the behavior that you expect from him.

• Tell your child why it is important to stay out of traffic. Tell him not to play in the street or run after stray balls.

• Be cautious when letting your child ride her tricycle. Keep her on the sidewalk and away from the street.

• Check outdoor playground equipment. Make sure there are no loose parts or sharp edges.

• When your child is playing outside, keep watch over him at all times.

• Practice water safety. Teach your child to swim.

• Teach your child how to interact with strangers and how not to interact.