Q: I’ve banned guns in my home, but my son “shoots” people with a stick. What should I do? A: The war toys on sale are so frighteningly realistic, it is understandable that parents try to protect their children from them. However, banning things tends to make them more attractive, and whatever you do, boys … Read more

Different kinds of play Physical and pretend Toddlers are discovering the sheer joy of using their bodies. This is a time for physical play—running, jumping, skipping, and play fighting. Puppies, kittens, and little humans all have a “play face” indicating this activity is just for fun. Parents and their toddlers will develop their own tickling, … Read more

While a toddler’s tears and tantrums are distressing, this type of behavior is a crucial part of learning to grow up. If your child does not get angry and learn to manage his rage at an early stage, he will find it harder to express his true feelings and act appropriately as he gets older. … Read more

Consequences Helping your toddler manage his angry mood, or stop unwanted behavior, is challenging and time consuming, and time is often in short supply. If behavior-shaping is to work, your toddler will need to understand that there will be a negative consequence if he does not do as he has been asked—or a positive consequence … Read more

While healthy food is on the day-to-day menu, there is no reason why that all-important first birthday and other special events can’t provide an opportunity for a few treats. And with some tricks up your sleeve, you can provide party fare that is nutritious and delicious! Q: What are appropriate foods for my baby’s first … Read more

You swore you’d never be one of those women who freak out over every line and gray hair, yet here you are, doing just that. You could blame it on vanity, but expert says the real reasons behind your panic aren’t nearly so superficial. Not long ago I went through a phase of feeling bad … Read more

Weaning is often a tricky and emotive period for toddlers and parents alike, because regular milk feeds are replaced with wholesome, nutritious meals. Don’t rush the process if you aren’t ready. As long as milk isn’t forming the main part of your toddler’s diet, you can continue to enjoy those comforting moments. Q: Is it … Read more

Your toddler needs plenty of variety and lots of different nutrients from fresh, natural foods. Encourage your little one to try new foods regularly, and to enjoy versions of healthy family meals, and she’ll soon be on her way to establishing healthy eating patterns—and learning to love great food! Q: What does a varied “toddler” … Read more

Q: My toddler doesn’t like the consistency of vegetables and fruit. Are purées OK at this age? A: Many little ones find the crunchy texture difficult to manage, and may even gag on small pieces, particularly if their introduction to “lumps” was later than usual. While it’s important to encourage toddlers to develop their chewing … Read more

Your toddler is on the go from morning until night, and requires your help to understand when he is tired and needs to get some rest. Life is far too interesting for him to want to go to bed of his own accord, but he needs his sleep and will benefit from having a routine. … Read more

What toddlers should eat, how much they should eat, and how to get them to try new foods are perennial dilemmas for all parents. The good news is that most fussy toddlers are normal toddlers—and they grow up to become healthy adults who eat a wide range of foods. “Don’t forget to take care of … Read more

Eating out Having a meal away from home may not be the treat for a small child that it is for an adult. If you are going on a car trip, consider taking familiar and child-friendly foods with you. If a stop-off is easier, do not plan a long meal. It will be very tiring … Read more

So you’ve picked out a recipe to start with and you’re raring to go. Now what? Beyond the grocery shopping list, there are a few things you can do before putting the knife to the cutting board to avoid mishaps while cooking. 1. Calibrating Your Instruments A scientist can only run experiments and make observations … Read more

Regardless of your needs, a well-equipped home kitchen shouldn’t cost much money. I once heard the products sold in consumer kitchen stores described as “kitchen jewelry.” Stores like Williams-Sonoma offer beautiful products that make for beautiful gifts, but just because they call their products “professional-quality cookware” doesn’t mean that professionals routinely use them. Sure, their … Read more

1. Bare Minimum Equipment Here’s the equipment that you’ll need at a bare minimum. 1.1. Knives Knife blades made of steel are manufactured in one of two ways: forging or stamping. Forged blades tend to be heavier and “drag” through cuts better due to the additional material present in the blade. Stamped blades are lighter … Read more

Buck Raper on Knives Buck Raper is the manager of manufacturing and engineering for Dexter-Russell, the largest and oldest cutlery manufacturer in the United States. Above, Buck holds a knife next to an edge sharpness and edge life test apparatus in their metallurgy lab. How did you come to work at Dexter-Russell? In a former … Read more

Finger foods aren’t just snacks or incidental additions to your toddler’s diet. You can supplement even the fussiest toddler’s menu with appealing goodies that will both add nutritional value and encourage her to learn the skills of independent eating. Q: How can I encourage my child to eat foods with different consistencies? A: Some little … Read more

Your toddler will be raring to go, and ready to try many new experiences. It isn’t always easy to keep up with an energetic toddler, and to ensure he’s getting all the nutrients he needs. But it’s not as hard as you may think to keep things going on the run, whether he’s in day … Read more

Cheese and Ham Pit-zas Pitas make a nice crisp base for pizzas—or pit-zas! Try my tomato sauce on page 183 or use a good-quality store-bought sauce. If you only have large pitas, then warm and split one as described in the recipe, and just use one half. Another good pizza base is a split toasted … Read more

Q: Our son keeps biting the other children at day care. Why is he doing this? A: Day care is a fun but challenging place. Your son is learning to master new skills, and he has to share toys, games, time, and attention from staff, all of which can lead to feelings of frustration. The … Read more