Brett R. Kuhn - The Toddler Owners Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on System Maintenance

The instructions in this book are intended for models between the ages of 12 and 48 months. If your model falls outside this range, it may fail to perform according to the specifications described herein.

Congratulations on your babys upgrade to toddler.
Units that have been upgraded to toddler will require frequent bug removal and reprogramming. Though toddler models vary greatly from unit to unit, all toddlers experience phenomenal growth, development, and change, and engage in frequent power struggles. The Toddler Owners Manual is a comprehensive users guide for achieving maximum potential and ensuring optimum operation of your toddler unit. It offers many time-tested parenting-programming strategies for the operation of most major updates from ages 1 to 4 years.

It is not necessary to read this manual from cover to cover. Because no two toddlers are exactly alike, this book has been separated into several different sections. Refer to any of the following sections when you experience a problem or have a question that needs to be answered:

describes home upgrades recommended for your toddler unit. It includes useful suggestions for configuring the toddlers room, essential accessories, and required upgrades in transportation equipment.

features valuable information about holding, handling, and traveling with the toddler. This section includes a wide array of play skills.

provides a valuable guide for understanding and providing the toddlers power supply. It includes information about weaning, recommended diet, and feeding and liquid intake scheduling.

provides an in-depth guide to scheduling and developing the toddlers sleep mode skills. It provides techniques for activating sleep mode, reprogramming sleep mode, transitioning the toddler from a crib to a bed, and trouble-shooting sleeping malfunctions (such as nightmares and night playing).

is an advanced users guide to maintaining and training all toddler units for basic physical function and operation. This section includes instructions for training the toddler for selfwaste disposal, advanced bathing, and self-dressing.

describes the general characteristics and milestones as toddlers advance their internal odometers. It includes valuable strategies and information on toddlers physical, verbal, and emotional and social development.

explores strategies for setting the parameters of a toddlers independent and group functioning. This section also includes techniques for managing a wide array of unwanted behaviors.

describes the best way to toddler-proof the toddlers environment. It includes instructions for performing emergency medical procedures, as well as a short A-to-Z guide to common medical conditions.

Your toddler is experiencing a major upgrade both in external hardware and internal programming as she makes the transition from an infant who is completely dependent on others to a toddler who strives for independence. As your toddler undergoes these changes, you may experience feelings of frustration, incompetence, hopelessness, anger, and despair. These feelings are normal, and with time, they will lessen. With a good sense of humor, you can oversee your toddlers development into a sturdy, self-operational unit.

Good luckand enjoy your upgraded toddler.

As a result of a toddlers increased mobility, further toddler-proofing of each room in the home will be necessary to ensure the toddlers safety (see ""). However, the most involved updating of the home should occur in the room in which the toddler sleeps.

The majority of toddler owners will continue use of a separate sleeping area for their unit (if you practice the operation of and with the following toddler-friendly items to create a secure and comfortable zone for your toddler when she enters self-entertaining and/or sleep modes.

The Toddler Bed: Anywhere between 18 and 36 months following delivery, your toddler will develop the ability to ascend the sides of her crib. When your unit begins this practice, move your toddler into a bed specially designed to manage this ability. Toddler for information on placement of the bed and transitioning the toddler from a crib.

Rocker or Chair: Continue use of a rocker or chair if your toddler enjoys the motion and comfort this chair provides. You may replace the full-sized seat with a toddler-sized chair so that your toddler may explore her independence by sitting alone.

CAUTION: Due to the toddlers increased mobility, use of a changing station may lead to damage of the toddler unit. Remove the changing station entirely or adjust its configuration to a sturdy clothes dresser that is secured firmly to the wall.

") so the toddler does not pull them down on top of herself. Place heavier items on the lower shelves and lighter items on the upper shelves. Avoid placing breakable items on top of these shelves, as your toddler will develop the ability to climb up and reach them.

Step Stool: This item may be used once your unit has mastered the ability to climb two small steps (usually between the ages of 2 and 3 years) on her own. Place it underneath a light switch so that the toddler can turn her bedroom light on or off when necessary.

Night-Light: Depending on your toddlers ability to operate sleep mode, continued use of a night-light may be required.