Ages 2-3

All articles tailored to this developmental window.

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  routine resistance

  Why Bedtime Battles Are Normal Development (And the Gentle Routine That Changes Everything)

  Complete Bedtime Meltdown: Bedtime is a 2-hour battle with screaming and tantrums.

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  independence

  Building Independence Through Play: A Gentle Guide for Ages 2-3

  Building Independence in Play: Encourage my child to play alone for short periods.

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  confidence

  Building Physical Confidence in Toddlers: A Gentle Parenting Guide

  Developing Physical Confidence: Encourage my child to try new physical activities safely.

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  trust

  Building Trust and Security in Toddlers: A Gentle Parenting Guide

  Building Trust and Security: Help my child feel safe and secure in relationships.

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  fear

  Understanding Your Child's Fear of Animals (And How to Help)

  Afraid of Animals: My child screams and runs from dogs, cats, any animal.

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  food selectivity

  Understanding Food Neophobia in Toddlers: A Gentle Guide for Parents

  Typical Picky Eating and Food Exploration: My child only eats 3 foods and refuses to try anything new.

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  emotional vocabulary

  Teaching Toddlers to Identify and Name Feelings: Your Guide to Emotional Vocabulary

  Learning Basic Emotions Words: Help my toddler identify and name feelings.

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  empathy

  Teaching Your Toddler to Recognize Emotions in Others: A Gentle Guide

  Learning to Notice Others' Feelings: Help my toddler recognize when others are happy or sad.

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  cooperation

  Teaching Toddlers to Follow Household Rules: A Gentle Parenting Guide

  Learning to Follow Simple Rules: Help my toddler understand and follow basic household rules.

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  self-esteem

  How to Help Your Toddler Feel Proud of Their Accomplishments (The Science of Building Confidence)

  Learning to Celebrate Achievements: Help my toddler feel proud of accomplishments.

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  communication

  Why Asking for Help is a Superpower: Teaching Your Toddler This Essential Life Skill

  Learning to Ask for Help: Encourage my toddler to ask for help when needed.

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  patience

  Why Your Toddler Cannot Wait (And How to Gently Help)

  Difficulty with Waiting: My toddler can't wait for anything without melting down.

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  safety

  Why Your Toddler Fights the Car Seat (And What Actually Works)

  Won't Sit in Car Seat: My toddler fights and arches back during car seat time.

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  independence anxiety

  Understanding Your Toddler's Need for Connection: The Journey from Attachment to Independence

  Extreme Clinginess and Won't Play Alone: My child follows me everywhere and won't play independently.

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  impulse control

  Why Your Toddler Struggles with Gentle Touch (And How to Help)

  Difficulty with Gentle Touch: My toddler doesn't understand how to be gentle with pets/babies.

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  fear

  Understanding Your Toddler's Fear of the Dark: A Gentle Parenting Guide

  Afraid of the Dark: My toddler needs lights on and gets scared in darkness.

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  anxiety

  Understanding Your Toddler's Hesitation with New Experiences (And How to Gently Encourage Curiosity)

  Won't Try New Activities: My child refuses to try new games, foods, or experiences.

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  sensory

  Understanding Your Toddler's Face Washing Resistance (It's Not Defiance)

  Difficulty with Face Washing: My toddler hates having face/hands washed and fights it.

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  jealousy

  Why Your Toddler Hits the New Baby (And How to Teach Gentleness)

  Sibling Aggression with New Baby: My toddler hits and pushes the new baby.

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  aggression

  Understanding Why Toddlers Hit and Bite (And Gentle Ways to Help)

  Aggressive Hitting and Biting: My child hits and bites other children when upset.

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  decision-making

  Understanding Your Toddler's Growing Independence (Ages 2-3)

  Learning to Make Simple Choices: Help my toddler make age-appropriate decisions.

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  joy

  The Beautiful Science of Joy: How Toddlers Learn to Express and Share Happiness

  Learning to Express Joy: Help my toddler show and share happiness.

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  communication

  The Beautiful Journey from Pointing to Words: Supporting Your Toddler's Language Development

  Learning to Use Words for Needs: Help my toddler express needs with words instead of pointing/crying.

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  memory

  How Your Everyday Conversations Build Your Toddler Memory Skills

  Building Memory and Recall: Help my child remember and talk about recent experiences.

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  independence

  Understanding the Me Do It Phase: Supporting Your Toddler's Growing Independence

  Won't Accept Help: My toddler says 'me do it' but gets frustrated when struggling.

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  fear

  When Your Toddler Wakes Up Screaming: Understanding Night Terrors

  Sleep Terror and Nightmares: My toddler wakes up screaming and inconsolable.

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  independence

  Why Your Toddler Prefers Hands Over Utensils (And Why That's Beautiful)

  Won't Use Utensils: My toddler refuses spoons/forks and only wants to use hands.

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  comfort

  When Your Toddler Pushes You Away: Understanding Independence and Strengthening Your Bond

  Won't Accept Comfort When Hurt: My child pushes away hugs and comfort when upset.

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  responsibility

  Why Your Toddler Resists Cleanup (And How to Make It Joyful)

  Won't Clean Up Toys: My toddler refuses to help put toys away.

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  overstimulation

  Understanding Public Meltdowns: Why Your Toddler Isn't Trying to Embarrass You

  Public Tantrum and Embarrassment: My child has massive meltdowns in stores and public places.

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  communication

  Why Your Toddler Screams Instead of Talking (And How to Help)

  Won't Use Words When Upset: My child screams and cries instead of talking.

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  sensory overload

  Understanding Sensory Overwhelm in Toddlers: A Gentle Parent's Guide

  Difficulty with Loud Environments: My child gets overwhelmed at parties, restaurants, events.

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  anxiety

  Understanding Toddler Separation Anxiety (And Gentle Strategies That Help)

  Severe Separation Anxiety Meltdown: My toddler screams and clings when I try to leave.

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  routine

  Understanding Your Toddler's Teeth Brushing Resistance (And What Actually Helps)

  Difficulty with Teeth Brushing: Brushing teeth is a daily fight with crying and resistance.

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  anger expression

  Why Your Toddler Throws and Breaks Things (And How to Help Them Learn Gentle Strength)

  Destructive Behavior When Angry: My child throws and breaks things when frustrated.

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  independence

  Understanding Why Your Toddler Wants to Be Carried (The Beautiful Truth About Connection)

  Won't Walk and Wants to be Carried: My child refuses to walk and demands to be carried everywhere.

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  defiance

  Understanding Your Toddler's Growing Independence: A Gentle Parenting Guide

  Complete Defiance and Rule Breaking: My child does the opposite of everything I ask.

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  social anxiety

  Understanding Toddler Stranger Anxiety: A Gentle Guide for Parents

  Extreme Stranger Anxiety: My toddler hides and cries around any new person.