is developing rapidly at this time. At the end of year one some toddlers may be adding several new words every day and at around 18 months old they may be trying out two word combinations such as ‘Mummy look’ or ‘Daddy gone’. By the age of two language skills

A family baking session isn't just great fun - it's educational too.Reading recipes aloud, choosing, naming and weighing ingredients helps to develop reading and maths skills. Waiting for food to cook even helps little ones learn to tell the time

, launching today (Mon 3 March 2008), calledYour Toddler Month by Month (£16.99, Dorling Kindersley)which combines Dr Byron's professional expertise with her common sense, child-centred approach, to help you manage and enjoy your child's early years, month

5 EASY WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR TODDLER'S SENSE OF HUMOURA sense of humour really does run in families - one sure-fire way of cultivating your toddler's is to be playful and funny yourself. Deal lightly with small catastophes, there really isn't any

round at once - there's only so much sharing a 2-year-old can do! Stick to inviting one at a time and make the play date fairly short - an hour is fineHave fun!Loosen up and enjoy watching your toddler interact and make friends 

From around 12 months your little one will start to push for greater independence, wanting to do things her way. This can lead to power struggles as you try to steer your strong-willed child in teh right direction. That's why a routine is so

When you are worried, by Maggie RedshawMost toddlers learn to talk and to follow what is being said to them. However, some may struggle and some may have problems. They may be slower than other children, or talk less clearly but don’t worry

they know from you, so be careful what you do in front of them.' What amuses your child? And how does his sense of humour develop? 12 monthsEnjoys visual or slapstick humour. People making deliberate mistakes makes young children laugh. ‘Things

Before you know it your beautiful baby will be a walking, talking toddler, and they'll need a whole lot of new gear to see them through the next exciting stage of their development. We've put together a round-up of colourful toddler accessories

Faced with a 2 year old hellbent on getting his own way, there is no time to wimp out, however much you want to. Try some of these foolproof tactics. BE POSITIVE Praise! Praise! Praise! Lavish attention on him for the slightest thing, like putting