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Permalink Reply by Barbara Mascareno-Shaw on May 19, 2011 at 8:20am

Hi Marcela,

I loved to read to my daughter when she was about that age. I did find that small board books with simple words work best for their little hands. They're easy to hold and look at while you are reading together. I like 'Todos al Tren' by Gilles Eduar, 'De Viaje' by Alan Rogers, and 'Perros, Perros! Dogs! Dogs!' by Ginger Foglesong Guy. Although these books are in Spanish, I really like how you don't necessarily have to know too much to say a few words along with the pictures.

You're more than welcome to visit my blog for a list of book recommendations and projects. Although projects are simple, they require adult supervision.

Hope this helps,

Barbara

Español para Niños (Spanish for Kids)

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Permalink Reply by Kate S on May 19, 2011 at 2:22pm

I'm not into books, but here are my suggestions for toddlerhood:

 

1. Potty training- I waited til my son showed interest and he was 3.5 years when we really trained, I tried at 3, but he wasn't ready.

 

2. Redirection, finding something else to focus on for both you and him. If you are trying an activity that he isn't into, follow his lead and do something else. Its hard at times, because toddlers are just learning how to communicate with you, so its a struggle.

 

3. when my daughter was 14 months I got a part time nanny job for a girl 6 months older than my daughter, and it was amazing how much both of them learned from each other. I took them to storytimes, museums, art galleries and we had a blast. You can try drawing with him, maybe start with finger paints and crayons, even pudding on paper, there are great blogs/websites for toddler stuff, esp try looking for Montessori sites.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Shelley Molitor on May 19, 2011 at 3:43pm

Marcela,  

This is such a great question, that I decided to write a blog post about it today! Let me know what you think:

http://bit.ly/lMVdHr

 

Sincerely,

Shelley

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Permalink Reply by Janet Beatrice on May 23, 2011 at 6:15am

Great post by Shelley. My son was strong-willed as a toddler. I just have two quick bits of advice.

First, my favorite parenting advice: Catch them being good.

Be sure to notice when he does something good and praise him. I think this is far more effective than getting angry when he's not behaving the way you want him to (although of course, you do need to set limits when that happens).

 

Second: Do your best to ignore any parents who think you're doing something wrong because their children are so easy to raise. Every child is different. Some of those parents learned later, with their second child, that parenting isn't always a breeze. Only YOU know what it's like to be mom to your child. Trust yourself and your instincts.

 

Janet

 

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Permalink Reply by Denise P on May 23, 2011 at 7:31am

My 7 year old son has been strong-willed from day 1. I learned this when I stayed up all night making his birth announements with the date on them only for him to show up 1 day earlier than the planned csection (he was already a week late). If I had not done them he would have waited another day. lol. And I can relate to being outsmarted by a child. We have that same problem - unfortunately, they get smarter as they get older. haha

 

The best thing I can tell you is not to obsess over finding the perfect solution to fix everything. All those books are pretty much just people's opinions. Every child is different and no child is going to provide you with a textbook scenarios. Instincts and trial and error are pretty much the only way to go. I know that is scary but it causes less anxiety for all involved in the long run. I find that people who have read every book they can get their hands on get very hung up on certain things they read and if it doesn't work they freak and think they have failed, which isn't true.  Different things work for different children. While time-outs might work for some they don't work on others.

 

The Disney magazine - Family Fun is a great resource. It has great ideas that you can do with your child and fun projects and activties. Parenthood is another good one and that is geared more towards young toddlers.  

 

I would encourage you to explore activities your child seems to already have an interest in as well. My son loved flash cards with words, counting,  and puzzles at that age. Now, his test scores are off the charts with his math and non verbal skills.

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Permalink Reply by Janet Beatrice on May 23, 2011 at 7:56am

I think Denise hit the mark.

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Permalink Reply by Tutoring Match on May 23, 2011 at 8:41am

In my opinion:

Friends and experienced Moms are always better than books.  I have heard Moms lament after reading books that there must be something wrong with their child because the books just didn't work...nonsense! What works for one child may not work for the next. Trying a variety of techniques often leads to success. Join a local moms group and start making connections.

Potty training: we waited until summer and then let my daughter run around with no diaper ( at home of course). After a couple of "whoops" she got the message and started using the potty.

For boys-- have you tried the Fruit Loop trick? Use fun colored Fruit Loops for "aiming" practice.

Bribery--- put a favorite "wrapped" treat on the sink near the potty... tell the child they can  have it AFTER using the potty successfully.

Discipline: you are smarter and more clever than he is~take a moment to think what his next move might be. When it is no longer a challenge or fun he will give up.

Early Learning: you have come to the right place! Libraries have a free story time ( and activity) and there are a variety of classes      ( kindermusic etc) you can sign up for.

Anything hands on is great at this age. You want to develop fine motor skills which will help prepare your child for writing. Beading, playing with clay, collages, coloring, writing with chalk outside, the best; painting with water on the pavement...no mess and kids love it!

We have tons of ideas and would be happy to give many more suggestions. Also just google early learning and a variety of free sites will pop up.

 

Hope this helped,

 

Susan @ Tutoring Match

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Permalink Reply by Ann Williams on May 23, 2011 at 1:12pm

I love Dr. Sears's books.  Also, www.notimeforflashcards.com is an awesome blog!  Check out books by Mary Ann Kohl for creative art projects at various ages.

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Permalink Reply by Jen on May 23, 2011 at 5:19pm

Potty Training:

I LOVE the book No More Diapers For Ducky and my daughters loved it, too.  I think that 3 is the magic age for potty training, but there is certainly nothing wrong with talking about it.  I also find that babies love books that have pictures of other babies in them, especially large photos!

 

Discipline:

As far as discipline, don't even bother until they are old enough to know that they're doing something wrong.  I find the best tactic is to distract them from whatever the negative behavior is and stay positive. 

 

Early Learning:

Babies and toddlers love to explore things and summer is a great time to give them some tactile stimulation.  Let them play with sand, water in a bucket, sponges, household items like measuring cups and spoons.  Also if you mix corn starch with a little water, it makes the strangest consistancy and they will love to grab it and squeeze it...then just hose them off outside!

 

Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Jones on May 23, 2011 at 5:22pm

For the positive discipline, this isn't a book, but an online parenting course: Positive Parenting Solutions. I've been through the whole course and it is so excellent! It has definitely changed my way of parenting!

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Permalink Reply by Marcela Shine on May 23, 2011 at 5:31pm

This is great!  Thanks for point this out for us.

Kim Jones said:

For the positive discipline, this isn't a book, but an online parenting course: Positive Parenting Solutions. I've been through the whole course and it is so excellent! It has definitely changed my way of parenting!

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Permalink Reply by Marcela Shine on May 23, 2011 at 5:33pm

I checked this out and think it will be a great resource!  thank you!

Ann Williams said:

I love Dr. Sears's books.  Also, www.notimeforflashcards.com is an awesome blog!  Check out books by Mary Ann Kohl for creative art projects at various ages.

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