's attention. It can be hard to be the parent of this type of toddler, as it takes a will of iron not to succumb to his constant requests just to get a bit of piece and quiet. But you'll need a bottomless bank account if you start giving in. So either develop

are typically taking off at an amazing speed. Their sentences will start to get longer and the number of words your toddler knows will be growing rapidly.While language development is to some extent built in, it is also true that talking and being talked

what you wanted from another room. Even if children are not chatting back, it is important that you continue to talk to them, play games and share books because this kind of positive interaction and turn-taking, while underpinning language development

faster, slept for longer stretches and woke less often.As well as reducing toddler meltdowns, a routine will also:Give your toddler a sense of security. Your toddler is taking her first tentative steps into the world, and by creating a reassuring

point crying over spilled milk - or cat food!Take your toddler's humour seriously. OK, so those early attempts at telling a joke can be quite painful, but celebrate the fact your toddler is trying.Read funny books together. He'll soon pick up

Here's how to boost your toddler's confidence and help him make friends:Make him feel good about himselfBuild up his confidence with lots of praise and telling him you love him. Result? He'll believe other kids love him too. Toddlers with low self

, other times he’ll take an open-handed swing at us if he’s tired or doesn’t want something. I’ve tried saying “no” and raising my voice, but he seems to fins the whole thing funny.’Alex Kolton, 40, from north London, mum to Henry, 17 months, and step

your toddler loves you, so why do you feel so hurt when he pushes you away?Health visitor Dawn Kelly says: ‘As your child's language develops, not everything he says will fill you with pride. If he screams "Want Daddy!" when you go into his room, or "Go

When Alison's toddler Ollie hit 2½, he developed a worrying habit. When they were out, he no longer liked to hold hands. If Alison insisted, Ollie would become distraught. But free of the constraints of his mum, he would dash ahead into the road

.Send in a throwaway cameraSend your child into nursery with a disposable camera, and ask her key worker to take pictures of her having fun throughout her day - painting, playing, building, dressing up. Once your pictures are developed, make a little book