FCS7-182: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 4: Be Playful with Your Child

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

Babies and toddlers love to play. Play is not only fun, it is a way for your child to learn. It does not have to cost a lot of money. Forget the boring flash cards and expensive educational toys. You as well as family members and friends will find in the fourth key, "Be Playful with Your Child," some ideas for inexpensive play and learning with babies and toddlers at various ages.

FCS7-185: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 7: Practice Health and Safety

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

Our babies and toddlers count on us to keep them strong and safe as they move and explore. This seventh key, "Practice Health and Safety," offers specific things you can do to help make your child's life as healthy and safe as possible.

FCS7-181: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 3: Know How Your Child Develops

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

Babies and toddlers grow and change at an amazing rate! Their weak muscles become stronger as they learn to roll over, sit, and walk. At first they coo, gurgle, babble, and cry in distress. Then they begin to show interest, smile, and laugh. Before you know it, they are putting words together, taking turns, and learning to share.

FCS7-183: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 5: Show Your Child the World

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

From the moment your baby is born, she has active brain cells--100 billion of them. They need to make trillions of connections with each other for your child to learn as much as possible while growing. She cannot learn without help. She needs stimulation--not only from you, but everyone and everything around her. That is why this key, "Show Your Child the World," is so important.

FCS7-179: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 1: Care for Yourself

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

Parents of babies and toddlers often feel tired and frazzled. They worry about doing everything exactly right. It is important to keep in mind that doing well starts with being well. You can learn to reduce stress and nurture yourself. Both you and your child will reap the benefits.

FCS7-181A: Developmental Growth Chart

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

This developmental growth chart is a supplement to Know How Your Child Develops (FCS7-181) in the Keys to Great Parenting series.

FCS7-184: Keys to Great Parenting: Key 6: Teach Self-Control

Carol Gnatuk | March 24, 2010 (Major Revision)

As parents, one of our top concerns is our children's behavior. We want them to respect others and make the most of relationships. Researchers tell us that children begin even as babies and toddlers to decide how to express feelings and relate to other people.

FCS7-154: Parent Express: A Guide for You and Your Child 15 and 16 Months

Carol Gnatuk | October 14, 2009 (Minor Revision)

Help your child explore her world. A 15- or 16-month-old child moves fast. She crawls, scoots, and walks. How exciting it is for her! Her world is full of new things to touch, throw, climb on--and to fall from or knock down. Your quiet, cuddly baby has become a lively little person, and that means you have to be lively, too.

FCS7-157: Parent Express: A Guide for You and Your Child 21 and 22 Months

Carol Gnatuk | October 14, 2009 (Minor Revision)

Playing with your child is not just plain fun. It stimulates her brain cells to connect in increasingly complex webs. That is the exciting news from the latest brain research. By taking time to have fun--with consistent love, guidance, and playfulness as you model activities and ways to move--you are laying the foundation for her lifelong learning.

FCS7-160: Parent Express: A Guide for You and Your Child 27 and 28 Months

Carol Gnatuk | October 14, 2009 (Minor Revision)

Be good to yourselves. Take time out when you can and share childcare with others when you need a break. Enjoy your child's development and celebrate her accomplishments with her. Reward yourself, too, for your successes, and don't be hard on yourself for mistakes. All parents make them.