BABY GROWTH PROGRESS IN 30 MONTHS

The complete information about baby growth progress month by month with all explanation according to baby development.

MONTH 19th - MONTH 20th - MONTH 21st

Please keep in mind that all children are unique. Whether your child reaches milestones early or late, she has her own developmental path to follow. The dividing lines between these months are very fuzzy. If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s development, please check with her health care provider.

For this trimester in your child's development, we have decided to tackle three challenging topics that most parents of toddlers face sooner or later: coping with temper tantrums, what to do when a child hits or bites and disciplining your toddler. These are three of the most nerve-racking and emotional topics in parenting and certainly ones with no easy answers. We hope that this month's guide offers support to parents of toddlers who may be just encountering these issues for the first time but unfortunately probably not the last...

To help you understand why your precious buttercup turns into a writhing, screaming monster before your eyes, it is important to understand what is happening developmentally. Again, issues of control and independence are paramount at this age. Whether or not a toddler can put on her shoes by herself or get a desired object out of a tight spot are important problems for young toddlers to solve. These issues can lead to frustration and culminate in an explosion of behaviors, from the typical falling to the ground and kicking feet -- to holding breath until passing out.

Another reason that may set the stage for a tantrum is language development. Around this age, a toddler is just developing the skills to express to you her needs. Unfortunately, you may not be able to understand all of her blossoming, toddler-like language. Her frustration explodes into a tantrum.

One way to prevent tantrums is to try your best to maintain the daily routine, even if away from home. Routines help children feel safe and in control because they know what to expect next in their day. The smallest change in a child's routine can produce large changes in behavior. Also, anticipate frustration. Try to avoid saying "No!" to a child's request and offer alternatives. Giving your toddler choices that are okay with you, will help her feel more in control and may ward off that impending tantrum.

Try not to give your toddler attention during the tantrum so that the behavior is not being reinforced. Instead, calmly wait until the tantrum behavior(s) has subsided and then attend to your child. Your response depends on your child and the situation. For some, just let it pass and move on.

Biting and Hitting

Perhaps few topics in parenting and child development raise more emotions than when one child is aggressive toward another child. It is difficult for parents not to project thoughts of whether the "aggressor" has a tendency toward violence or if the "victim" has a tendency toward being targeted. Both biting and hitting are not uncommon responses in the toddler world and should not be reflected as part of the personalities of children who display these behaviors. But that is not to say that these behaviors are to be ignored; both biting and hitting need to be addressed by parents and caregivers immediately.

There are many factors that can contribute to a biting or hitting incident, with some being quite benign. For one, when children are teething, biting can be satisfying for sore gums. Another is curiosity. "What sort of reaction will happen if I take a chunk from that kid's hand?" Or, if children are bored or tired, these sorts of behaviors may appear.

Often biting and hitting result from a child's own frustration. If a child is playing with a toy and another toddler tries to take it, the first child may not be able to express in words her feelings about having her toy taken. Her response is a quick nip on the hand or a shove aside.

What Can Parents and Caregivers Do When a Child Bites or Hits?

Two responses are very important initially. First, go to the "victim" to comfort and then remove the "aggressor" from the space where the altercation occurred. Again, try not to reinforce the behavior. Do not give the "aggressor" any positive reinforcement (no smiles, warm eye contact, soothing voice). With whatever language you are comfortable using and in a calm but firm voice convey that biting or hitting is not okay. Talk to both children briefly about what happened and remind them of words that could have been used to prevent the aggression.

It is very important for toddlers to learn words, such as 'Stop!' or 'No!' to use in this context - both for the child who is about to have her toy taken from her and for the child who is about to be hit. And remember that the child who is biting or hitting needs your guidance and support just as much as her victim. Ostracizing or labeling her will not help her learn to stop the behavior and may add further stress to her in this setting and continue the problem.

Discipline

Now that we have touched upon tantrums, biting and hitting, it seems appropriate to tackle the next important topic - discipline. In the toddler years, most parents not only have to ponder their feelings on discipline, usually based on their own experiences in childhood, but also actually put their philosophies into play with their young children. A toddler's developmental "job" is to explore the limits - to test her environment (meaning YOU) as far as it will go. This can really push our buttons.

Setting limits is critical for your toddler's understanding of working with others in the world. Though you may be tempted to give in to the wail or face-full of alligator-sized tears, be strong and pick your battles. Ultimately, setting limits that are consistent and predictable makes children feel safe and helps them progress in developing skills in self-control. Remember to give praise when your child follows the house rules accordingly.

Hand in hand with discipline is acknowledging the challenges and frustrations with parenting. It is very important for parents to find a means to express this frustration in a safe way for themselves and their children. We emphasize this need because for some parents spanking is a response to this sort of frustration under the guise of disciplining a child. We understand that there are many reasons why parents spank. It may be a behavior that is ingrained in one's culture or be passed down through generations.

What Does Spanking Teach?

Disrespect, pain and violence will get what you want. An alternative? Good 'ole communication. Explain in a way that is appropriate for her age what is it that she is doing that is not okay and why she must stop. "When you pull the cat's tail it hurts her. You must be gentle. If you cannot stop yourself, I will stop you." If communication is impossible, try a diversion - "Look at the big blue bird out the window." When all else fails or your child is seemingly out-of-control, then try a time-out. Remove your child from the situation. The rule of thumb is one minute for each year of age. But try to avoid abusing the time-out; it is not meant as a punishment or to cause shame.

If you feel like your blood is boiling and you need a break from your child - place your child somewhere safe (a crib) and give yourself five minutes alone to calm down. This is a normal response in parenting - one that we certainly acknowledge and can appreciate. Most of us have been there ourselves.

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BABY GROWTH PROGRESS IN 30 MONTHS