Bright Futures Parent Handout: 18 Month Visit
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Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family
Language Promotion/Hearing
Talking and Hearing
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Read and sing to your child often.
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Talk about and describe pictures in books.
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Use simple words with your child.
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Tell your child the words for her feelings.
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Ask your child simple questions, confirm her answers, and explain simply.
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Use simple, clear words to tell your child what you want her to do.
Family Support
Your Child and Family
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Create time for your family to be together.
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Keep outings with a toddler brief—1 hour or less.
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Do not expect a toddler to share.
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Give older children a safe place for toys they do not want to share.
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Teach your child not to hit, bite, or hurt other people or pets.
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Your child may go from trying to be independent to clinging; this is normal.
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Consider enrolling in a parent-toddler playgroup.
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Ask us for help in finding programs to help your family.
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Prepare for your new baby by reading books about being a big brother or sister.
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Spend time with each child.
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Make sure you are also taking care of yourself.
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Tell your child when he is doing a good job.
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Give your toddler many chances to try a new food. Allow mouthing and touching to learn about them.
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Tell us if you need help with getting enough food for your family.
Safety
Safety
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Use a car safety seat in the back seat of all vehicles.
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Have your child's car safety seat rear-facing until your baby is 2 years of age or until she reaches the highest weight or height allowed by the car safety seat's manufacturer.
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Everyone should always wear a seat belt in the car.
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Lock away poisons, medications, and lawn and cleaning supplies.
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Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if you are worried your child has eaten something harmful.
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Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs and guards on windows on the second floor and higher.
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Move furniture away from windows.
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Watch your child closely when she is on the stairs.
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When backing out of the garage or driving in the driveway, have another adult hold your child a safe distance away so he is not run over.
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Never have a gun in the home. If you must have a gun, store it unloaded and locked with the ammunition locked separately from the gun.
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Prevent burns by keeping hot liquids, matches, lighters, and the stove away from your child.
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Have a working smoke detector on every floor.
Toilet-Training Readiness
Toilet Training
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Signs of being ready for toilet training include
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Dry for 2 hours
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Knows if he is wet or dry
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Can pull pants down and up
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Wants to learn
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Can tell you if he is going to have a bowel movement
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Read books about toilet training with your child.
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Have the parent of the same sex as your child or an older brother or sister take your child to the bathroom.
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Praise sitting on the potty or toilet even with clothes on.
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Take your child to choose underwear when he feels ready to do so.
Child Development and Behavior
Your Child's Behavior
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Set limits that are important to you and ask others to use them with your toddler.
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Be consistent with your toddler.
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Praise your child for behaving well.
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Play with your child each day by doing things she likes.
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Keep time-outs brief. Tell your child in simple words what she did wrong.
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Tell your child what to do in a nice way.
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Change your child's focus to another toy or activity if she becomes upset.
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Parenting class can help you understand your child's behavior and teach you what to do.
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Expect your child to cling to you in new situations.
What to Expect at Your Child's 2 Year Visit
We will talk about
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Your talking child
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Your child and TV
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Car and outside safety
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Toilet training
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How your child behaves
© 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics