Tip of the Day

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Different Presentations

Present material to your child in different ways. If you're talking about clouds, draw a picture, fill a sponge with water or make up a silly song.

Play Along

If your child suddenly morphs into a dinosaur, doctor or superhero, play along and talk directly to his new alter ego. Ask questions to keep the game going.

Play "Stop and Go"

When you're walking with your toddler, play "Stop and Go." It will keep him moving...and thinking!

Make School Special

The night before school resumes, have your toddler pick out something special that he'd like to show his teacher and classmates, and then have him pick a place where he won't forget it.

Label the Behavior

Whenever you see an episode of bullying -- between kids or adults -- point it out to your toddler and use the word 'mean' to describe it. That makes it easier for him to identify.

Don't Push It

It's fine to encourage your toddler to put on a concert for you at home, but don't force him to perform for others. You want your child to associate music with pleasure, not pressure.

Turn the Power Struggle Into a Game

When your toddler says no, mimic him and say no right back, in a teasing way. If he repeats his no, repeat yours. After one or two rounds, he'll get the joke.

Don't Gush

If your 4-year-old pulls a stool over to the refrigerator to get out his own juice box, tell him what a great idea he had, not what a smart kid he is.

Start a Politeness Patrol

Put your preschooler in charge of monitoring your manners. Have her remind you whenever you forget your pleases and thank-yous.

Practice Listening

At dinner or at bedtime, ask your child to tell you the funniest thing that happened at school. When he's done, ask him a follow up question. Then, you share a story about your day, and ask your child to come up with a question for you.

Exercise Portion Control

Sometimes if kids see a heaping bowlful of food, it seems overwhelming and turns them off. Start out small, and maybe they'll even ask for seconds.

Don't Rush in to Help

If your toddler starts to get frustrated by a new task he's tackling, tell him that he's almost got it, and encourage him to stay with it. But if he gets too upset, take over and tell him he can try again later.

Bathroom Break

When you need to go, have your toddler take a break from what he's doing and come with you. He'll see that it's okay to leave what he's doing for a minute, and then come right back.

Everyone's a winner

When you play any sort of game with your toddler, make sure there's a treat in store for everyone at the end -- whether it's a couple of cookies or a super-long story-time. Talk about how much fun it is to play, regardless of who wins.

Reward Your Child for Giving

Ask your child if you can try her dessert because it looks delicious, or if you can hold her stuffed animal because it looks so cuddly. When she offers it up, give her a big smile and tell her how great it tastes, or how good it feels.

Buy a Bedmate

On the day your toddler is making the switch from the crib to the bed, take her to the toy store and have her pick out a special "big-kid" item, like a stuffed animal, that can only sit on the new bed. Encourage playing on the bed with the new toy before bedtime.

Keep Your Cool

When your child is losing it over losing, it's hard not to overreact yourself. But in order to help him learn self-control, you've got to take a deep breath and exercise it yourself. After all, he's watching you for clues.

Look for Letters Everywhere

When you're walking, driving or even shopping with your child, be sure to point out the different letters on the signs that you see. With older toddlers, ask them to find as many of a certain letter as possible and say them out loud.

Praise Cooperation

Give your child praise for teamwork whenever you can -- not just on playdates. If your toddler behaves well in the grocery store, or plays quietly in the kitchen while you prepare dinner, take special notice and tell him how much you appreciate it.

Show Them How It Feels

Put on a show ... of emotions! Act out different situations that your toddler might encounter, with you taking one part and him taking the other. Exaggerate your reactions -- stomp your feet, jump up and down or "cry" extra loudly -- and ask your child to tell what emotion you're feeling (sad, angry, happy, etc.).

Know When to Fold 'em

Playing games should be fun, not frustrating. When you see your child losing interest or getting upset, say, "That was a good game, but let's try something else now," and stop playing.

Set the Clock Straight

Have your two- or three-year-old help you make a clock using a paper plate and pipe cleaners for hands. Instead of numbers, draw a sun where the seven would be and place the hands there. Hang the clock near his door and explain that when the sun comes up, she can get out of bed. Then be sure to pull down her shades!

Observe Your Child

Watch how your child plays and how he handles new challenges. If possible, jot down your observations so you can use your notes to form questions for the preschool director or teacher.

Make a Hasty Exit

When it's time to go, don't linger over good-byes. The sooner you leave, the quicker your toddler can get a grip and start focusing on other things -- like having a snack or playing hide-and-seek with the baby sitter!

Do a little role-playing

Organize a "playdate" between three stuffed animals and act out what happens when one is left out. Discuss the feelings involved to help foster empathy in your toddler.

Give Them a Role to Play

Before the baby is born, help your toddler make signs to put around the house that will make him feel important, and more secure, in his role of big sibling: "This is where my new baby will sleep." "This is where I will feed my new baby." "This is where I will give my new baby a bath."

Plan a "Giving" Activity

Ask your child who he thinks could use your help -- an elderly neighbor, a sick friend -- and come up with something you can do together that will offer some comfort. It can be anything from making a card to preparing a meal.

Help Them Save Face

When your child won't budge on an issue at home, give her an easy way out and offer her an option: "If you don't want to take your bath before dinner, you may take it before bedtime. You choose."

Keep Her Safe

There's nothing you can, or should, do when your child's having a night terror, since she's not aware of what's happening. Just remove any objects from around her bed that she might knock down if she's thrashing about, such as wall hangings or night-table lamps.

Play School at Home

Pull out some paper, pencils, crayons and scissors, and set up a "school" for your child and some stuffed-animal classmates to attend for 5 to 10 minutes at a stretch. Your child can even play teacher once in a while so he can show off his abilities.

Practice Friendliness

Show your child how to reach out to other kids by role-playing at home. Sit down with a few of her favorite stuffed animals or dolls, and use them to act out social scenes. Vary the situations (e.g., birthday party, playground outing), as well as the scenarios (e.g., introducing yourself, asking if someone wants to play).