• I am becoming more independent, but I still need your love and security.

• I am talking more, putting 2 or 3 words together and learning new words every day. Others should understand about half of what I say.

• I can help to dress myself and can put away my toys now.

• I can jump in place, kick a ball, and walk up and down stairs one step at a time.

• I can draw up, down and circular marks with a crayon or pencil.

• I like to play along side of other children but I do not share toys or take turns well yet.

• I like to imitate what adults do.

• Let me eat with the family at mealtimes and include me in the family conversations.

• Give me 2 or 3 healthy snacks per day, limiting too much sugar, fat, and juice.

• Avoid "choking" foods – hard, slick, round foods like nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, hard candy, peanut butter and whole grapes. Make sure I am not eating while running or playing.

• Do not force me to eat. Sometimes I want more, sometimes I want less. Praise me when I try new foods. Make meals fun for me and encourage me to eat a variety of foods.

• Please brush my teeth every day with a dot of toothpaste.

• I should not be drinking from a bottle anymore!

• If my teeth touch, please start showing me about flossing.

• I need about 1 nap per day.

• I like a regular bedtime with a nightly routine like brushing teeth, washing face and hands, and reading me a book quietly. Do not let me watch TV just before my bedtime because it may make me too excited.

• I may be able to sleep in a "big bed" now and should be able to sleep all night in my room. I may wake up at night having a nightmare or be afraid to sleep alone if this is new for me, but try to help me by leaving me in my own bed and comforting me quietly in my room.

Medem: Medical Library: Age 2 to 3 Years: Sleeping

• I may be ready to be toilet trained if I can pull my pants up and down, can tell you when I have to go, and can stay dry for several hours at a time.

• Please wait until I am interested in using the toilet and when there are no major family changes going on before you start toilet training.

• Put me on the toilet for 5-10 minutes 1-3 times a day. Read me a book and praise me for sitting on the toilet.

• Once training begins let me wear training pants only so I do not get confused. Praise me often while I am learning and avoid saying "no"!

More Toilet Training Information

• I may say ‘no" often and have temper tantrums. You can help me by ignoring the tantrums and praising my good behavior and my accomplishments. Help me to express my emotions like joy, anger, sadness, fear, and frustration without a tantrum.

• Give me choices whenever possible so I can learn to make simple decisions on my own.

• Please be consistent when you set limits for me. Try to distract me from unwanted behavior, but if needed you should separate me from the object or from others until I get control of myself. This "time out" is not to punish me but to give me time to get control of my emotions.

• Do not allow me to hit or bite anyone. When I have a conflict with a brother or sister, try to help us work it out without taking sides.

• Praise me often for good behavior and accomplishments. Encourage me to quiet myself by quiet play or hugging a stuffed animal when I need comforting.

• Use positive phrases when redirecting my behavior – "Please walk" instead of "no running".

• Spend time talking to me, playing with me, taking walks with me, and hugging me.

• You can help me to learn by reading simple picture books and talking with me. Books are better for me than TV. Please limit TV time and talk about my favorite shows with me so that I learn more.

• Let me run and play outside in a safe area where you can watch me.

• Help me learn to play. I like toys I can put together and take apart like blocks and puzzles. I like to show you what I can do, so please be interested in my playing and in my new discoveries.

• Give me some paper and crayons to learn to draw with and let me tell you about my drawings.

• I am tall enough to reach things on the stove and counter now, so watch out for hot pans and hot liquids. Turn the hot water heater down to 120° .

• Lock up poisons, including those in the garage. Make sure all medicines have safety caps and are stored up high.

• Never let me take a bath or play near water alone. Swimming pools should be fenced all around in the places I play.

• Use sunscreen on my exposed body areas whenever I am outside for more than 15 minutes and encourage me to wear sunglasses and a cap or hat.

• I can run fast now – do not let me play near the street by myself!

• Use a car seat until I weigh at least 40 pounds and reach up to the top strap with my shoulders. Then I can graduate to a booster seat.

• Breathing cigarette smoke is bad for me, so try to make the house and car smoke-free. Make sure the house has smoke alarms to protect against fire.

• Please don’t swing me by my arms. It can dislocate my elbows.

• I should have had all my first series of immunizations by now. Ask my doctor if I am current.

• My next immunizations will be due at my 4 year well check.

• I will feed and dress myself without help.

• I will be talking in 3 word sentences and almost all my speech will be understandable in context. I will be communicating my needs and wants clearly.

• I will learn to take turns when playing with other children.

• I will be able to ride a tricycle.

• I will understand the difference between boys and girls and know my own name, age, and sex.

• I will be running and climbing faster, going up and down stairs just like you do, and balancing on one foot.