22-Month-Old Child

Can’t make it through page two of book one? Chalk it up to your child’s age, not her future potential as a reader. While few toddlers are able to sit still for storytime, there are some ways to foster a love of literature … or at least of lift-the-flap and pop-up books.

Choose books with bright illustrations and interactive features, and designate a specific time of the day — in the morning, just before bedtime — to read a story. At this age, short books are best, as are ones that rhyme. 

Remember, too, to be a role model. Every so often, let your tot catch you reading a book of your own. Children of readers are more likely to pick up the habit.

Does your little one have a case of “what’s-this-itis”? It’s a pretty common condition at this age. Toddlers are naturally curious about their always-expanding world, and who better to explain it to them than you?

They’re also keen to practice their new language skills (“Wha ‘dis?”), which may now be more sophisticated than single words. Even if she knows the answer, she’ll delight in hearing you respond … over and over again.

Your toddler may have a lot to say, but that doesn’t mean you can always understand it. The transition between baby babble and big-kid words can be a frustrating time for those on both sides of the conversation. As your child gets older, the gibberish will evolve into real syllables, and finally, words and sentences.

Until then, however, you may have to do some detective work to sleuth out what your tot is saying. Listen for the sound of a consonant in her words — for example, “ohg” might mean “yogurt” or “eh” might be “egg.”

If that fails, encourage her to show you what she wants by taking you to it or pointing in that direction. Most importantly, stay calm. The less frustrated you become, the less frustrated she’ll be too.

Thought the terrible twos started at, well, age 2? Credit (or blame) the alliteration, but this normal phase of development is more likely to begin in the first year of life and continue to the age of 3 or 4. 

Understanding why your toddler is sometimes prone to less-than-angelic behavior can help you keep your cool when you’re running hot. Oftentimes, the best course of action for meltdowns and tantrums is no action at all. At this age, toddlers can’t control their emotions, so there isn’t any point in punishing her.

Babies aren’t the only ones who need comforting. Toddlers also need their fair share of reassurance too — perhaps even more so, since fears and phobias start springing up around now. 

That’s where a beloved blanket or lovey comes in. As your toddler begins to explore the big, wide world around her, she may seek out some comfort in a transitional object — such as a teddy bear or stuffed elephant — that will accompany her wherever she goes. 

A comfort object can undoubtedly be a good thing, but you may want to take a few precautions to keep it clean and prevent it from getting lost. Set limits for where your tot can take it (in the car, but not on the playground) and consider buying a duplicate lovey so she won’t notice if the original goes missing.

Toddlers aren’t exactly known for their social etiquette skills, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start laying the foundation for good manners at a young age. Encourage your child to say “please” when she wants something and “thank you” when she gets it. 

Even when your tot starts to get the hang of it, she’ll still need reminding. When that happens, ask “What’s the magic word?” or “What do you say?” It’ll take years before saying “please” and “thank you” becomes second nature, but honing her manners at an early age will give her a good head start on the road to civility.

Why does your toddler insist on calling every man “da-da”? Or, much to your embarrassment, every gray-haired woman “ga-ma”? That’s because toddlers don’t yet have a sophisticated vocabulary — and therefore, a way to differentiate between one type of person (for example, someone with a “dad-like” appearance) and another. 

The next time your tot uses a word that’s close-but-not-quite-right, gently steer her in the right direction: “That’s another man. Daddy is a man too, but this is a different man.” Eventually, your toddler will learn more new words that will help expand her vocabulary — and way of thinking.