Caroll Boucher Memorial Fund. - The Everything Toddler Book:from tantrums to potty training, practical advice to get you and your toddler through the formative years

THE EVERYTHING TODDLER BOOK

From controlling tantrums to potty training, practical advice to get you and your toddler through the formative years

Linda Sonna, Ph.D.

Copyright 2002, F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book. Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A. www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-58062-592-4

ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-592-0 (paperback)

ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-590-9 (EPUB)

Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sonna, Linda 1950

The everything toddler book : from controlling tantrums to potty training : practical advice to get you and your toddler through the formative years / by Linda Sonna

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-58062-592-4

1. Toddlers. 2. Toddlers Care. 3. Child rearing. I. Title.

HQ774.5 .S59 2002

649.122 dc21 2001055270

The information contained in this book is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or other professional services. The information should not be used for diagnosis or treatment or as a substitute for professional care. If your toddler has a medical or behavioral problem, or you suspect such a possibility exists, consult your health care provider. All case studies are composites designed to reflect common behaviors and situations. Information has been changed to protect parents' and children's identities.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Illustrations by Barry Littmann.

Interior Illustrations by Eulala Conner.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

Visit the entire Everything series at everything.com

THE Series

Dear Reader,

I still remember my shock when the secretary called me into the mental health clinic's waiting room and introduced me to my first patient a quarter of a century ago. The patient was about as tall as my knees, and he couldn't talk! I was so caught off-guard, I actually asked the secretary what I was supposed to do with him. You're supposed to be the psychologist. I type, she said curtly.

Because my patient couldn't tell me what was troubling him, I set about trying to decipher his facial expressions, body postures, play, and style of relating to his parents and me in hopes of unraveling the mystery of his many fears and tantrums. As I came to understand his nonverbal communications, I realized that this was the key to understanding human beings of all ages. When people are troubled, they often lack the words needed to express themselves. The combination of errors, distortions, deceptions, and simple misunderstandings means that much is lost in the translation. And before someone can be helped, they must be clearly understood.

In this book I relay what youngsters have taught me over the years about their feelings, wants, problems, and needs. Once adults understand the words toddlers cannot say, parenting can be more straightforward and joyful.