Best Toddler Book

I loved the Baby 411 book and wish that I knew about the Toddler 411 book! I still use the Dr. Sears baby book as a reference for my 3 year old.

I really like "The Emotional Life of the Toddler" for really understanding toddler development. The other I'd recommend is Brazelton's "Touchpoints."

ditto the 411 books!!!

and Brazelton's Touchpoints

oh, and for sure: Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood!!

"Smart Love" by pieper

It is not a typical step-by-step developmental book, but it is comprehensive book about the emotional milestones of a child and how to respond to them. I have found it unbelievably helpful for my 2 1/2 and 5 year old. It starts at infant and goes to teenage years. I also have begun a Smart Love class avaiable at Smaty Party on Belmont in Chicago which is for 18m to 36m with moms. They also sell the book. I have learned a whole new, natural no-drama approach to parenting. My children are happier and we are more connected.

There are a lot of different books out there. The American Academy of Pediatrics has one that is for 0-5. It is a large book and pretty well written. You can find it on their website www.aap.org. They also have a health one that is useful as it has pictures of symptoms and then tells you whether you need to consider it an emergency etc.
Ames and Ig have a developmental series by year ie one little book for 1 yr olds, one for 2 etc etc. These books are accurate regarding child development but they are a little dated regarding the descriptions of family life. Then for parenting, I found Smart love by martha heineman pieper and william pieper and unconditional parentiing by alfie cohen to be invaluable. I think reading them around the 12-18 months age would be good as you are starting to decide how you are going to raise your child and they give very valuable insight into a lot of clinical pscyhology with children and the outcomes from different approaches. Unlike many other books, they are backed up well by research studies. I do like the one you mentioned as well: what to expect the toddler years. Terry Brazelton also has some books that are interesting. Enjoy.

They have the what to expect during the toddler years and I find it to be very helpful. This book takes you to age 3 and I think a bit beyond. Hope this helps.

I used Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp to deal with some fit throwing. I used his approach of getting them to calm down in a fit of rage by getting down to their level and talking like you understand them. It gets them to calm down first, then you can tell them why they can't do something, or explain the next step. I found it to be very helpful for my son at age 3.

dear L., i read all of the "WHAT TO EXPECT" books.
what to expect when expecting
what to expect the first yr.
what to expect the toddler yrs.

i would HIGHLY recommend all 3 of them. i loved reading them. they always seemed to answer all of my questions i had. and anything that i didn't agree w/or had questions about i would always be sure to ask the dr. at my kids check-ups. i also subscribe to the PARENTS magazine and they are also very helpful w/ the kids age and what they should be doing. the magazines are nice if you get overwhelmed easily be reading a big book. if you don't want to subscribe to the magazine you can go to you local library and check out magazines for i think up to 2wks. and you can do that w/ the books as well. just thought i would let you know, just in case you were not familar w/ that. i hope that my suggestions help you.
good luck finding a good book to help you!
C.

I also have those "What To Expect...", but they also make a "What to Expect...The Toddler Years" book.

I just got it myself about a month ago!

Hope this helps!

I've heard the "Happiest Toddler on the Block" is really good and helpful...

Any books by penelope leach are great.

I have really liked the "On Becoming..." series. On Becoming Babywise, Babywise 2, Toddlerwise, Childwise...

I have a 7 year old 3 year old and twin 4 month olds, I wish I had found the books sooner. In just the last few months these books have helped my 3 year old obey, my 7 year old become more independent and my 4 month olds are on a great schedule.

Good luck.

I love the 411 books. There's Baby 411 (for the first year only) and Toddler 411.
It's written by a pediatrician and answers all your questions on what to do when.
Truly a great resource!

"What to Expect..." does make a "What to Expect the Toddler Years".

L.,

I was a professional nanny and worked for professional working parents who expected me to have every answer for everything that went on with their children. I have read what seems like every parenting advice book out there. Here are some of my favorites.

Your One-Year-Old by Louis Bates Ames (this series runs up to Fourteen year old). They are a quick and easy read, and you can look up just in certain section, what you need. Plus it is only about the age your daughter is in.

Your Growing Child by Penelope Leach. My favorite doctor, her books are the best.

The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp. I have since his methods work.

What to expect the toddler years. Another great resource to have.

The Disney Encyclopedia of Baby and Child Care, I think you would have to find this used. A basic book, not a lot of "junk" in it.

Smart-wiring your baby's brain by Winifred Conkling. I don't love this book, but it has some great things in it. The list that are in it too for milestone development

Kids are worth it by Barbara Coloroso (it is a great book for you, fun to read, and when she gets a little older)

Raising a Thinking Child by Myrna b. Shure (another one for when she is a little older, but you can still you the feeling section, this book worked for my pre-k class).

You might want to check some out at the library and see what fits or feels right for your family. No one book solve problems for everyone, everyone is different and needs several solutions for a problem.
Good luck!

They have a what to expect in the toddler years too! I refer to it all the time!

Hi L. -
I loved that book also. The next book I believe is WHAT TO EXPECT THE TODDLER YEARS. I am pretty sure you can find it at any book store.

Good Luck

H.

What to Expect the Toddler Years...it goes up to 36 months. It is great reference tool!

Check out "Touchpoints" by T. Berry Brazelton. I also like Stanley Greenspan's "Building Healthy Minds" and "Caring for Infants with Respect" (talks about toddlers, too) by Magda Gerber.