Your Toddler at Age 2

Your toddler is now two years old and you feel like you have hit rock bottom. Here are some tips on surviving the terrible twos. By now you should be able to communicate with them, though their vocabulary still can be quite small. You know what there needs are, and if you don't they are sure to tell you. At this age it is crucial to teach them proper manners, and simple tasks to help them along the way. Not to mention working on potty training if they are showing the interest.

They call it the terrible twos for a reason. I truly believe the only word they really know at this age is no. It is your job to teach them right and wrong through all of the tantrums. The best thing to do is have great communication. They like to be independent so giving them choices helps. For instance, pick out two outfits for the day and ask them if they want the blue one, or the red one. This will make them feel more important and independent.

Have them help you by participating in some small chores. Have them help you put their clothes in drawers, throwing small items in the garbage, or perhaps helping you out with a smaller sibling. This also will make them feel more important and they will be helping you in the meantime!

Two year olds love to explore everything. They will want to color on everything, participate in arts and crafts, pretty much anything artsy to get their minds exploring. They will be getting into watching television, especially cartoons, so make sure they are not glued to the TV all day. Get them outside to play and maybe you will even meet a neighbor with children the same age group that they can meet and play with. It never helps to get them interacting with other children at this age if they haven't already.

Finding community activities for them at this age is good too. A couple of suggestions would be a dance class, daycare, or even a beginning swimming lesson. This will be teaching good things to them and also give them the interaction with other kids which they will need to know when they go to school in a few years.

A two year old needs lots of playtime. Finding educational toys is best because they can learn and play at the same time. Starting a book collection if you haven't done so already is helpful because they like to look at the books as well as it gives you great bonding time with them to read to them.

They also can be stubborn when it comes to food. Making sure that they get the proper nutrition that they need is important because now they will become very picky. Always have healthy foods on hand to give to them. Sometimes they just won't eat. They will eat though if they are hungry so don't get discouraged if they turn their dinner down. Just don't give them a cookie at night time. Using these tips and others from your doctor will help you successfully survive the terrible twos.