Sharlene Poole - Toddler Whispering: 1 to 5 The Preschool Years

Many children and their families have given me the knowledge, the passion and the desire to write this book. It is with their trust that I have been able to create this tool for parents, to share what I have learnt and then applied in my years working in early childhood education.

Many special people have supported me through the process of writing, enabling me with not only their love and encouragement but also their practical help looking after my son George.

It has been wonderful timing to have been working on this book after becoming a parent myself and raising George, who fits into the toddler age in this book. George is, of course, the one particular little person who I have to thank especially, as he has given me the inspiration for a lot of content, as well as love and cuddles, laughter and confidence when I have been tired or stressed. Alongside working, I have had to find extra time to put into creating this book, and he has had to be patient and flexible with his usual routine.

I dedicate this book to George and to my mother, my family and my special friends you know who you are!

Toddler Whispering has come about as a direct request from those many parents who have read my first book, Baby Whispering, and then said to me, So, what next? What happens when they turn one?

All the incredibly quick changes that happen in the first year of a childs life and the issues that can arise were the reason for writing my first guide for parents, but the whole early childhood phase can be a challenge. Along with the immense, rapid developmental changes comes the knowledge that these early years are key to helping children become confident, loved and happy in the future.

Having studied early childhood education for three years and then working in ECE and with private families for the past 20-plus years, I realise that what most parents want and need is a basic guide, a resource that answers the daily questions that pop into their heads or arise with every step in their childs development.

However, with the increase in access to information for parents, it can sometimes be overwhelming. There can be too much information for some, which means they often just soldier on, trying to swim upstream rather than going with the flow, as I like to say!

Toddler Whispering has been designed for parents to read as their child goes through each stage not a book you sit down and read from cover to cover, but rather a go-to guide as you face the different queries or obstacles that arise in the one-to five-year age group. For some parents it will be confirmation that what they are doing is good and that they are on the right path in their parenting. But remember, there is no right or wrong way to parent we just need to meet the most important needs of our children with unconditional love, respecting their individual personalities and their age and stage of development. We need to be consistent, give them our time and provide a warm, safe and secure environment for them to grow and learn in.

I would encourage any parent who reads this book and then has further questions or concerns relating to their childs wellbeing to seek medical or professional advice. This books content is a guide only, a tool to encourage you to seek further advice if you still have concerns or if you require support on a one-to-one basis.

Sharlene Poole