CHECK IT OUT:

As soon as your sweet little bundle of joy begins walking and talking, the challenges of parenting rise to a whole new level.

The toddler years are very exciting — new words, actual conversations, and developing personalities.

But with these new and exciting developmental milestones come the challenges of discipline, structure, and teaching your child how to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong.

This newfound independence and ability of your toddler can test your patience and leave you wondering when, if ever, the “terrible 2s” will end.

The following resources available at the Newport Beach Public Library will offer parents sound advice on raising and guiding a child through the toddler years and beyond.

“Toddler 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Toddler” by Ari Brown and Denise Fields: In this easy to navigate resource, readers will find valuable information on everything toddler. This all-inclusive guide provides advice on potty training, meal planning, and handling difficult discipline issues along with valuable topics covering all aspects of a young child’s development, both physical and emotional.

For parents of babies, be sure to check out “Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year,” also written by Denise Fields and Ari Brown.

“The Happiest Toddler on the Block: The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year Old” by Harvey Karp: Dr. Karp uses his background in pediatrics and child psychology to create this helpful resource on toddler discipline. He details the importance of understanding toddlers’ cognitive abilities as a way to effectively put into practice successful methods of discipline that work. By connecting human evolution to toddler development, Karp hopes to facilitate parents in the practice of effectively communicating and disciplining the toddler age set!

“1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12” by Thomas Phelan: 1-2-3 Magic provides parents with an easy-to-use counting method for discipline that works for children ages 2 through 12. When toddlers get to a certain age and begin to understand consequences, this 1-2-3 method will help stop temper tantrums before they even start.

The whole concept of counting to three allows parents to discipline in a calm frame of mind, and prepare children for being “timed out” effectively. A great guide for all parents who need a little help with discipline!

“How to Raise Kids You Want to Keep: The Proven Discipline Program Your Kids Will Love (And That Really Works!)” by Jerry Day: In this parenting resource, the author stresses the importance of building strong bonds and opening communication lines between child and parent.

Day’s methods are based on four key principles that parents need to instill in their relationships with their children: tolerance and acceptance, respect and admiration, fun, and communication. Real-life stories blended in with practical advice makes this title a must-read!

“The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums & Tears” by Elizabeth Pantley: Pantley uses her expertise as a parent educator and mom to provide practical advice on the importance of implementing successful discipline methods in the home. Her easy-to-follow parenting tips help parents to achieve cooperation, communication, while defusing tantrums and setting up a consistent discipline structure for children to follow.

Pantley’s nurturing take on discipline will appeal to all parents, especially those who follow the attachment parenting style.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.