As parents, you try to give your kids an excellent start in life by nurturing, protecting, and guiding them. The process of parenting prepares your child for independence. As your child develops and grows, there are several things you can do to help them.  

Parenting Tips For Toddlers By Age 

Below you will find more information about your child’s development, positive parenting, safety, and health at every stage of your child’s life. 

Parenting tips for infants (0-1 years) 

As a parent, you intend to give your children the best possible start in life by nurturing, protecting, and guiding them. However, before proceeding further, we recommend that you learn about developmental milestones, including educational and social development for babies from birth to age 1. There are many things you can do to help your baby stay safe and healthy.  

Developmental Skills 

Skills like taking the first steps, smiling, and waving are referred to as developmental milestones. The majority of children attain these milestones by a specific age. Children accomplish milestones in play, learning, speech, behavior, and movement, including crawling, walking, and jumping. 

In the first year, you cannot expect your child to have all the developmental skills described above. On the contrary, you can expect them to focus on their vision, reach out to explore, and try to learn about things around them. Cognitive or brain development refers to the learning processes of memory, language, thinking, and reasoning. Learning languages is more than merely making sounds or saying words like ma ma or da da. Listening, understanding, and knowing the names of people and things are all part of language development. 

During this developmental stage, babies form bonds of love and trust with their parents and caregivers, shaping their social and emotional development. How parents cuddle, hold, and play with their child will form the basis for future interactions with their child and others. 

Parenting Tips for Babies 

During this time, below are some things you can do as a parent to help your baby: 

• Talk to the baby even if you think they don’t understand anything, as they will find your voice calming. 

• When your baby makes sounds, answer them by repeating the sounds and adding words. Your actions will help them to learn how to use language. 

• You may find this suggestion stupid or idiotic, but it’s helpful to read to your baby even though they may not understand a word of what you say. The reading will help your child develop and understand language and sounds. 

• Play music and sing to your baby, as it will help them develop a love of imagination and support brain development. 

• Praise your child and give them plenty of love and attention. 

• Spend time cuddling and holding your child. These actions will make them feel cared for and secure. 

• When your baby is alert and relaxed, play with them. Keep an eye on them for signs of tiredness or fussiness to give them a break from playing. 

• Distract your child with toys and move them to safe areas when they start moving and try to touch things they shouldn’t.  

Care for Yourself Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally 

Your child undoubtedly deserves attention, but it does not mean you neglect yourself. Parenting is challenging, so it’s essential to enjoy your time with your baby and be a positive, loving parent by feeling good about yourself. Therefore, you must care for yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Consider joining parenting and counseling classes where you can meditate, exercise, and learn coping strategies to address the new challenges you are facing. 

Child Safety First 

When your baby becomes part of your family, it is time to ensure your home is a safe place. Look around your place for things that are dangerous to your child. Take the essential steps to ensure you are mentally and emotionally prepared for your new baby. Below are a few baby-safe tips for you to follow: 

• Do not ever shake your baby! Babies have weak neck muscles incapable of supporting their heads. Shaking your baby can damage their brain or even cause fatalities. 

• Ensure that you put your baby to sleep on their back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 

• Protect your baby and family from passive smoke. Do not smoke in your baby’s vicinity or allow anyone to do so inside your home. 

• Prevent choking babies by cutting their food into tiny bites. In addition, don’t allow them to play with small toys and other things they might find easy to swallow. 

• Never allow babies to play with things that can cover their faces. 

• Avoid carrying hot liquids or foods near your baby when holding them. 

• Vaccines (shots) are essential to protect your child’s health from severe illnesses. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to ensure your baby is up to date on their vaccinations.  

Car Seat Recommendations for Children 

Your baby is best seated in a rear-facing child seat in the back seat when riding in a car. This is a recommendation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Healthy Bodies:  

Breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding your baby. For the first 6 months of life, breastmilk provides all your baby’s needs. Your child will learn new tastes and textures between six and 12 months of age with some healthy solid food. However, breastmilk should continue to remain an important source of nutrition for them. 

1. It’s helpful to feed your baby slowly and patiently, encouraging them to try new tastes, and to watch closely to determine whether they are still hungry. 

2. Babies may not be able to run and play like big kids, but you must still ensure your baby stays active by moving their arms and legs throughout the day. 

3. Getting down on the floor to move helps your baby become strong, learn, and explore. 

4. Do not keep your baby in swings, strollers, bouncer seats, or exercise saucers for too long. 

5. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time for children under 18 months. The screen time allowed is only for video chatting. 

6. Ensure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep each night. The recommended sleep duration for infants aged 4 to 12 months is 12 to 16 hours per day, including naps. 

Breastfeeding Challenges 

For help with breastfeeding challenges, consider calling 800-994-9662 or your local WIC program to determine whether you qualify for breastfeeding support from health professionals. 

Parenting tips for toddlers (1-2 years) 

Developmental Skills 

During the second year, toddlers begin to explore new objects and become more aware of themselves and their surroundings. They imitate the actions of adults and older children. During the second year, children may display independence and defiant behavior. They also start recognizing themselves in pictures and in the mirror. Apart from recognizing the names of familiar people and objects, toddlers can form simple phrases and follow instructions. 

Child Safety 

Your child becomes vulnerable to dangers around the house. Dangerous situations can develop without warning, making it essential to keep a close eye on your child. Some suggestions to keep your growing child safe include: 

1. Keeping your child away from the water when they are alone. 

2. Blocking stairs with a small gate or fence and locking doors to dangerous places, such as the basement or garage. 

3. Ensure that your home is toddler-proof by placing plug covers on all unused electrical outlets. 

4. Keeping sharp objects out of the child’s reach in safe places. 

5. Locking up medicines, household cleaners, and poisons. 

6. Storing arms and ammunition in safe places is beyond their reach. 

Healthy Bodies 

Instead of giving your baby sugary drinks, give them plain milk and water. Breastmilk remains an ideal addition to their diet even as your child eats more solid foods. 

Your child may become a picky, erratic eater because they don’t need more food due to their slow growth. Therefore, it’s helpful not to battle them over their food. 

Offer children a selection of healthy foods so they can choose what they want. It helps to keep trying new foods because children need time to learn to like them. 

Your child will appear to be moving continuously, like running, climbing, or jumping. Do not consider toddler tantrums; let them be active as they develop coordination and become stronger. 

Ensure that your child gets sufficient sleep every night — 11-14 hours per day for toddlers between 1-2 years. 

Parenting Tips (2-3 years) 

Developmental Milestones 

The terrible twos is the term used to describe the period between 2 and 3 years, when children begin to assert their independence. However, time can be exciting as toddlers undergo significant changes in their thinking, learning, social, and emotional abilities. These changes help them explore and understand their new world. Children at this age start following simple instructions and sorting out objects by shape and color. Additionally, they also become capable of imitating adults’ actions to express a wide range of emotions. 

As a parent, there are some things you can do to ensure your child receives the help they need during this time. 

• Set a specific time to read books to your child. 

• Encourage your child to participate in pretend play. 

• Help your child explore their surroundings by taking them for a walk or a wagon ride. 

• Encourage your child to express their name and age. 

• Teach your child simple songs or other childhood rhymes. 

• Give them attention and praise them when they follow instructions. Showing positive behavior and limiting attention to defiance, such as tantrums, will teach them early child discipline. When your child gets upset, it helps to teach them acceptable ways to express themselves. 

Parenting Tips (3-5 years) 

Developmental Milestones 

When trying to help your preschooler, there are some things you can do as a parent. 

1. Continue reading to your child to nurture their love for books. Take them to the library or bookstore to keep them interested. 

2. Allow your child to do simple chores. 

3. When it is time to discipline your child, instead of wondering how to handle child’s tantrums, be clear and consistent. Explain and display the behavior expected from them. When you tell them something, follow up on what they are supposed to do. 

4. Help your child develop good language skills by speaking to them in complete sentences. Help them use the correct words and phrases. 

5. Help your child go through the steps that help solve problems when they are upset. 

6. Give children choices about what to wear, when to play, when to have a snack, and how to follow bedtime routines. 

Child Safety 

As your child becomes more independent, it is essential that you teach them how to stay safe. Below are some tips to protect your child. 

• Teach your child why it is essential to stay out of traffic. Educate them not to play in the streets and run after stray balls. 

• Express caution when letting your child ride their tricycle. Ensure they remain on the sidewalk and always wear a helmet. 

• Check out the equipment to ensure there are no loose parts or sharp edges. 

• Watch your child at all times, especially when they are playing outdoors. 

• Keep your child safe in the water by teaching them to swim. However, keep an eye on them at all times when they are in a body of water, including kiddie pools. 

• Teach your child safety precautions around strangers. 

Healthy Bodies 

Below are some tips to keep your growing child healthy. 

• Eat meals with your child whenever possible. Allow your child to see you enjoy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains during meals and snacks. 

• Your child can only have a limited number of foods and beverages containing added sugars, solid fats, or salt. 

• Provide children with age-appropriate play equipment and let them choose what to play. The choices make moving and being active fun for your child. 

• You might find it challenging to teach preschoolers how to encourage sharing, but you can undoubtedly ensure they get the recommended amount of sleep every night, which is 10-13 hours per day for preschoolers. 

Parenting is undoubtedly challenging but managing toddlers including their tantrums and building routines is a challenge unlike any other. We hope the tips provided in this article will help you manage the challenges you encounter and succeed in making your child a responsible and worthy adult.