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- Help your child brush her teeth with an amount of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
- The first dental visit should be at 1 years and then every 6 months. You may ask us for a list of pediatric dentists if you need help finding one.
- Continue to read stories every day.
- Limit TV and electronics to 1-2 hours a day. Watch shows together and discuss them.
- Children should remain in a rear-facing car seat until at least 2 if not older. Then, they should be in one with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer.
- BIKE HELMETS are very important. Teach your kids street and pedestrian safety.
- Teach kids to learn their names, addresses and phone numbers. Teach them who to go to if lost (point out police, security guards.)
- Teach kids safety rules for interacting with strangers.
- Reading together promotes bonding, language skills, and healthy development.
- All children need attention. The amount of positive attention they receive should outweigh the negative attention.
- Techniques for increasing positive attention.
- “Catch” your child being GOOD. Specific praise like “you did a good job picking up your toys” rather than “you are a good girl.” will help her link the praise with the behavior.
- Have special time - 10-20 minutes one-on-one with each child doing something the child wants to do. Label it as a special time.
- If your child resists certain chores, sticker charts can help children do things like getting dressed, brush teeth or prepare for bed.
- Offer nutritious foods and let him decide what and how much to eat. You are not a short-order cook and don’t have to cook separate meals for your toddler. This only promotes picky-eating.
- Your child should be eating 3 meals with 2 nutritious snacks each day. Healthy snacks include fruits, veggies, cheese, yogurt, and bits of whole-grain bread or crackers.
- Avoid juice. It promotes tooth decay and a unhealthy weight.
Reading and Resources
- Book: The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Toilet Training.
- Book: 1,2,3 Magic – Effective discipline for children 2-12. Thomas Phelan.
- Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Food Assistance WIC 1-800-WIC-1007 and SNAP www.mass.gov/snap
- CDC Vaccine Page www.cdc.gov/vaccines
- www.healthychildren.org Site by pediatricians about a variety of health topics
- App: Pediatric Symptom MD – a variety of pediatric advice