Potty Training? Is Your Toddler Ready? Part 3 of 3

Is Everyone Ready? Potty Training in 10 Days

If everyone involved is ready for potty training, make sure you have supplies ready. Here is a list of supplies to have:

Potty Training? Is Your Toddler Ready? Part 2 of 3

Indications of When Your Toddler is Ready & Potty Training Expectations



Is your toddler ready? Read the list below to help make that decision:

•   he remains dry for longer periods of time

•   he tells you he is wet or needs the diaper changed

•   he can pull clothes down and up

•   he shows strong interest

•   he has good language development as he will need to tell you if he needs to go

Indications that you the parent(s) and child care provider are ready:

•   You had an opportunity to introduce

Potty Training? Is Your Toddler Ready? Part 1 of 3

In my child care program, I encourage parents to introduce potty training at home when their toddler is around the age of two. To get started, before your toddler’s 2^nd birthday, the parents could purchase a port-a-potty to explore. Find one that has an attachment from the potty seat onto a toilet (like pictured).

What do I mean by exploring?

Infant Play Yard or Infant Area Suggestions

You might ask why is it necessary to setup an infant play yard? Your infant could benefit greatly when given an opportunity to explore with “tummy time”. As your little one is exploring, this area could be created as a safe spot for your infant to roam without the risk of injury or harm. This area can be setup in the living room or common area. Of course once your little one grows and is crawling, he/she will need more space like a childproofed playroom.

Why is tummy time so important? What does an infant area look like?

Infant & Toddler Developmental Milestones

Sometimes, parents or grandparents wonder if their infant or toddler is developing at a normal pace.

To find guidelines for your child’s development or milestones on a month to month basis, I suggest

Valentine’s Day Crafts or Art Projects

Valentine’s Day is coming up real soon, just next month! I know crazy, right? I thought it would be fun to share some Valentine crafts which are easy to do with toddlers, preschoolers and older kids as well.

Handprints on Heart:

Supplies: pink or red or white construction paper, paint for handprint (any color), marker, glue, heart stickers, other textured paper to add like; clear wrapping paper (cellophane), tissue paper, ribbon

Crafts and Art Projects with Toddlers & Preschoolers

Feeling overwhelmed with the idea of putting together crafts or art projects for toddlers or preschool age group? Read below as I share some tips on how to minimize the mess and maximize the fun and creativity with your little one. Crafts and/or art projects can be even more fun with a playmate or sibling.

First of all, the importance of art activities with toddler/preschool age is

Happy New Year! Welcoming in 2015

As a new year is approaching and rolling into 2015, I just want to wish you all a Happy WONDERFUL New Year! Stay safe and enjoy your time with your family and friends during this holiday season. Looking forward to posting more and more articles to engage with and encourage parents, grandparents, and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and preschool age children.

Sincerely, 
*Iva
Precious Years Blogger

Weaning from bottle to sippy cup? Is your infant ready for this transition?

Generally, between the ages of ten months to one year, infants are ready to transition (wean) from a bottle to a sippy cup. This takes time and some patience to finally succeed. It works even better if your child care provider is willing to be consistent with the transitioning in child care as well. I find it best to gradually introduce the sippy cup during certain times of the day as a weaning process with the goal of slowly moving from a bottle to a sippy cup. Infants tend to get attached to the bottle and prefer the bottle over the sippy cup. So I suggest picking a time

Weaning from lap to highchair? Is your infant ready for this transition?

As your baby grows and strives for the need to be independent, it’s a good idea to encourage transitioning (weaning) to the next independent step starting as early as seven months. Usually around this age, babies show interest in holding their own bottle as well as the need to move around while they are drinking their bottle. This is a sign the baby is ready for a transition.

Transitioning (weaning) from lap to highchair ~ Here is an easy way to help with this transition.