Table of Contents - Beginnings Parent's Guide		 space
       
   
Waking States - Parent's Guide book1
Waking States
(Beginnings Parent's Guide -  Booklet 1)
 
 
 
 
ParBook3-pg66
Teaching and learning about emotions (Beginnings Parent's Guide - Booklet 3)
 
 
 
 
Beginnings Parent's Guide Booklet 5
Teaching & learning with your toddler (Beginnings Parent's Guide - Booklet 5)
 
 
 
 
Beginnings Parent's Guide Booklet 7
A checkup for your doctor (Beginnings Parent's Guide - Booklet 7)
 
 
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Book Number
Period Covered
Pages
Book 1
2 to 12 Weeks
1 - 36
Book 2
4 to 7 Months
37 - 60
Book 3
8 to 12 Months
61 - 88
Book 4
12 to 15 Months
89 - 116
Book 5
16 to 18 Months
117 - 136
Book 6
18 to 24 Months
137 - 156
Book 7 24 to 30 Months 157 - 176
Book 8 30 to 36 Months 177 - 196

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #1: 2 to 12 Weeks
Learning with your baby 1
Keys to a healthy baby 2
Take care of yourself 2
Let your baby teach you to be a good parent 2
When you baby cries, respond quickly 2
Your baby is ready to learn. Start teaching now 3
6 wet diapers a day; your baby is OK 3
Trust your instincts 3
Breast feeding is best 3
The baby rides in a car seat facing the rear 3
Teaching your baby 4
You are your baby's most important teacher 4
Your baby's brain grows as he uses it 4
If your baby does not use his brain, it does not grow 4
How to be your baby's best teacher 5
Talk to your baby 5
Use your face and your voice 5
Use your baby's name 5
Repeat her sounds 5
Be her news reporter 5
Infant states 6
Watch your baby's 'talk' 6
Your baby gives you signals about his needs 6
Sleeping states 7
Light sleep state 7
Waking states 8
Drowsy state 8
Quiet alert state 8
Active alert state 9
Crying state 9
Is she asleep? 10
Holding your baby 10
Some babies do not like to cuddle at first 10
Soothing your crying baby 11
Crying is a signal 11
Crying might mean 'I'm lonely' 11
When your baby cries, respond quickly 11
Your baby was crowded in your womb 11
Crying might mean your baby is overloaded 12
Maybe she is bored 12
Your baby might be hungry or need to burp 12
Warning: Never shake or hit your baby 12
Your baby is used to motion 12
Find her favorite sound 12
Your baby is not used to air on her skin 12
Take turns calming your baby 12
Is it colic? 13
Cause of colic is unclear 13
Ask for help 13
Time is a sure cure 13
Comfort holds for a colicky baby 13
Crying signals and soothers 14
Take care of yourself 15
Parenting is stressful - Take care of yourself 15
Ask for help 15
Rest as much as you can 15
Join a parents' group 15
Parenting is a learned skill 15
A note to partners 16
Bathing your baby 17
10 easy steps to a clean baby 17
Feeding your hungry baby 18
Your baby signals 'I'm hungry' by: 18
Babies wake up to eat 18
Make feeding a joy for you and your baby 18
Hold your baby close when you feed her 18
Keep her head up 18
Your baby will tell you when she needs a break 19
Your baby will tell you if she wants to talk 19
Is your baby full? 19
Starting may not be easy 19
Get help with feeding 19
Sleep safety 20
Sleep safety 20
Let her sleep face up 20
What is crib death? 21
How can I keep my baby safe? 21
Most (not all) babies who died in their sleep were: 21
Some (not most) of the babies who died were: 21
Baby sleep safety 21
Crib safety checklist 22
The family bed 22
Family bed drawbacks 22
Make your bed baby safe 23
Keep your baby safe 24
Toy safety 24
Safe toys checklist 24
Car safety 24
Home safety checklist 25
Fire safety 25
Sleep safety 25
Burn safety 25
Air safety 25
Lead poisons growing brains 26
Do not bring lead home 26
Baby gear safety 26
Your baby's growth and development 27
Reflexes protect your baby 27
Your baby has a strong grip 27
Your baby is born to walk 27
Checkups and shots 28
Baby growth check 28
Schedule for well-baby checkups and shots 28
Baby health check 28
Concerns about shots 29
Well-baby checkup: 4 weeks 29
Baby skills check at 4 weeks 29
Well-baby checkup: 8 weeks 30
Baby skills check at 8 weeks 30
Baby skills check at 12 weeks 30
Returning to work or school 31
Enjoy your work 31
Choosing child care 31
Doctor Mom 33
Trust your instincts 33
Look for warning signs 33
Does Baby have a fever? 34
Choose a thermometer 34
How to take Baby's rectal temperature 34
How to take Baby's termperature under his arm 34
When to call the doctor 34
What for thrush and nipple yeast 35
If you see these sign on the baby, call his doctor: 35
If you see these signs on you, call your doctor: 35
Things to think about 35
Baby's Warning Signs (Back Cover) 36

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #2: 4 to 7 Months
Teaching your baby 37
Games help your baby learn to use his muscles 37
Teaching games 38
Sit-and-reach games teach your baby to use his body 38
Mirror games teach about feelings 38
Tummy time games make hime strong 38
Peek-a-boo teaches your baby that you come back 38
For a bright future read to your baby 39
Reading gives your baby a strong start 39
Your baby can learn 2 languages 39
Discipline for a crawler 40
Get ready for a crawler 40
You are your baby's role model 40
A routine helps your baby learn what you expect 40
He does not understand No 40
Respond quickly to new signals 40
Listen to your baby 41
Respond the same way every time 41
Praise good behavior 41
Discipline that does not work 41
Saying it again louder will not help 41
Spanking teaches a wrong lesson 41
Take care of yourself 42
You deserve a break 42
Ways to keep calm when you are about to lose it 42
Ask for help 42
Parent soothers 42
Manage the daily stress of parenting 43
Choosing caregivers 44
Prepare caregivers 44
Make a list of emergency numbers 44
Write important phone numbers here 44
Traveling with your baby 45
Car travel 45
Safety first! 45
Airline travel 45
Pack everything 45
Baby gear safety 46
Car seat 46
Be alert to recalls 46
High chair 46
Baby walkers: Danger! 46
Toys safety 47
Safe toys checklist 47
Shopping cart safety 47
Home safety 48
Crawler-proof your home 48
Crawler's home safety checklist 48
Feeding your baby 50
Breast milk is still the best food for your baby 50
Do you and your baby need vitamin D? 50
Returning to work? 50
Bottle breast milk for your baby 50
Your body adjusts to your feeding routine 50
Try a cup 51
Follow your baby's lead 51
Weaning your baby 51
For relief from breast fullness, try cabbage 51
Starting solid food 52
Let the baby decide to try a new food or not 52
Let the baby decide how much to eat 52
Your baby already has a sweet tooth 52
Help your baby learn eating skills 53
Dcotor Mom 54
Watch for signs of food allergy 54
Try new foods 1 at a time 54
No meat, eggs, cow's mild, or honey yet 54
Watch for choking 54
Do not give you baby these choking foods 54
Practice first aid for choking 54
First aid for choking 55
Teething can be trying 56
Signs that your baby is teething 56
Caring for baby teeth 56
If your water supply does not contain flouride 56
To ease teething pain 56
Never put the baby to bed with a bottle 57
Learn infant CPR 57
When your baby has a cold 57
A cold should clear up in 4 days 57
Wash hands often 57
Checkups and shots 58
Keep up to date on shots 58
Well-Baby check: 6 Months 58
Baby skills check: 6 Months 58
Schedule his next checkup 58
Does your baby need a lead test? 59
Baby skills check: 8 Months 59
Things to think about 59
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 60

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #3: 8 to 12 Months
Teaching and learning to talk 61
Your baby learns language by hearing it 61
Your baby must know that you will take care of him 62
Signs that my baby understands my words 62
Teach your baby to talk by talking to him 62
Reward your baby when he tries to talk with you 62
Reading teaches language 63
Singing teaches language 63
TV is not a good teacher 64
Play games to jump start his memory 64
Signs that my baby remembers 64
Your baby learns by using all her senses 65
Explore with your baby 65
Teaching and learning about emotions 66
Your baby learns about his feelings from you 66
Moods may be intense and change fast 66
Help you baby notice and name his feelings 66
The beginnings of friendship 67
Home safety 68
Make your home safe for a toddler 68
Toddler's home safety checklist 68
Baby safety gear 70
Car seat still faces backwards 70
Why facing the rear matters so much 70
Is your baby ready to face forward in the car? 70
Does the car seat still fit? 70
Consider a backpack 71
Is your baby ready for a backpack? 71
Choosing a backpack 71
Help your baby go to sleep 72
Waking up at night ~ here we go again 72
Help your baby learn to comfort himself 72
A routine makes bedtime easier for all of you 72
Take care of yourself 73
Work and family 73
Plenty of love to go around 73
Your mixed feelings about child care are normal 73
When you must be away from work or school 74
Are your stressed out? 74
Schedule time for you 74
How to find time for yourself 75
It is OK if your family complains 75
Are you thinking about having another baby? 75
Feeding your baby 76
Learning to eat 76
Do not worry about fat 76
Your baby needs iron 76
How to make meat safe for your baby to eat 76
Does she need iron drops? 77
Be patient with a slow eater 77
Joining family meals 77
3 meals + 3 snacks a day 77
Help your baby learn to walk 78
Cruising the furniture 78
Kiss it and make it better 78
Keep your eye on him 78
Stair climbing practice 79
Learning comes in uneven steps 79
Doctor Mom 80
Your teething baby drools 80
Drool causes chapping 80
Protect his soft skin 80
Teething does not make a baby sick 80
Keep baby healthy while youare at work or school 81
Give 'Permission to Treat' in case your baby is hurt 81
Consent for medical care form 81
Checkups and shots 82
Well-baby checkup: 9 Months 82
Does your baby need her eyes checked? 82
Does your baby pull on her ears? 82
Baby skills check 83
By 10 months 83
By 12 months 83
Discipline: teach self-control 84
Tantrums ~ new emotions out of control 84
Stay calm, set a good example 84
Do not give in to a tantrum 84
Tantrums at home 85
Tantrums in public 85
Help your baby not have tantrums 86
No! still does not work with your baby 86
Happy Birthday! 87
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 88

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #4: 12 to 15 Months
From baby to toddler 89
Teaching your toddler 90
Help your toddler learn safely 90
He learns with bare feet 90
Walking practice 90
Let's go outside! 90
Is this playground safe for a toddler? 91
Shoes protect your child's feet 91
Make sure his shoes fit well 91
When your toddler falls 91
Teaching and learning to talk 92
Your child understands better than she talks 92
Listen for her first words 92
Talking practice 92
Keep naming things for her 92
Tell her what your are doing 92
Tell her what she is doing 92
Read with your toddler 93
Follow your child's lead 93
4 ways to raise a reader 93
Playing with other toddlers 94
Join a parent-toddler group 94
How to choose a group 94
Watch your child's signals 94
Feeding your toddler 95
Your toddler knows how much to eat 95
Your child will eat when he is hungry 95
3 meals plus 3 snacks a day 95
Bring a snack for the road 95
Meals with the family 95
Do not expect your toddler to sit through a meal 95
Let your child feed himself 96
Watch out for choking 96
Easy-to-eat finger foods 96
What if he does not eat? 96
Check growth at well-child checkups 96
Eating out 96
Keep breast feeding 97
Concerns and solutions 97
Feed for fuel, not for fun 97
Another baby on the way? 97
Weaning your toddler 97
Anxiety and stress 98
Your child feels stress 98
Normal stresses fade 98
Becoming a separate person is scary, especially at night 98
Your toddler fears being left behind 99
A routine makes daily partings easier for you both 99
Help her remember that you always come back 99
Your child can wear out her ability to bounce back 100
What makes too much stres for toddler? 100
Take care of yourself 100
Is your toddler stressed out? 100
Use your power of loving touch 101
Touch talks 101
Give your toddler a foot masage - it is easy 101
Are you and your child safe at home? 102
What is abuse? 102
Abuse is: 102
Make a safety plan 102
Get ready to leave 103
Keep your child safe 104
Keep your home smile free 104
Secure all things electric 104
Lock up dangers 104
Buckle up for safety 104
Put a life vest on him 104
Take care of yourself 105
Make time for you 105
Ask for help 105
Discipline for your 1-year-old 106
Your toddler is a mimic 106
He copies your every move, good or bad 106
Your toddler is not being bad 106
Let him help you 106
Your toddler is too young to control himself 107
What feels bad to you feels powerful to him 107
Scolding teaches him to scold 107
He learns hot to act by watching you 107
He wants to please you 107
Stay calm. Be specific 108
Bedtime discipline 108
If he gets out of bed 108
Get ready for potty training 109
It is too soon to start 109
Help your toddler get ready to start potty training later 109
Teach her about her body 109
Teach while changing diapers 110
Get the gear 110
Begin a set routine 110
Doctor Mom 111
Teething again 111
No bottle in bed 111
Ease his teething pain 111
Checkups and shots 112
Well-child checkup: 15 months 112
Toddler skills check: 15 months 112
First aid for toddlers 113
Prevent Poisoning 113
Throw out the Ipecac 113
Warning: If you think your child ate or drank poison 113
Bumps on the head 113
Scrapes and cuts 114
Call the doctor about a cut if: 114
Burns 114
Call the doctor about a burn if: 114
Dog and cat bites 115
Call the doctor about a dog or cat bite if: 115
Broken bones 115
Warning: If you can see a bone through the skin 115
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 116

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #5: 10 to 18 Months
Still a baby - sometimes 117
A time of mixed feelings 117
Be your toddler's safe house 117
Teaching and learning with your toddler 118
Your toddler might be shy 118
She might be a thrill seeker 118
Every toddler needs a safe base 118
Beginnings of humor 119
He wants to make you laugh 119
Beginnings of writing 119
Praise those scribbles 119
Teach him about paper 119
Learning from TV 119
Learning new words 120
Listen and respond 120
Teaching and learning games 120
More learning games 120
Raising a reader 121
Are you raising a reader? 121
Good books for toddlers 121
Discipline for your 18-month-old 122
Expect hitting and biting 122
She does not know hitting hurts 122
Help her learn self-control 122
When you praise her; start with 'You' 122
When you discipline her, start with 'I' 122
Be quick with discipline 122
Keep your toddler safe 123
Never let him ride unbuckled 123
When he climbs out, Stop! 123
Check playground safety 123
Tantrums are normal 124
Why tantrums happen 124
He must have your attention 124
What sets off his tantrums? 124
Say Yes! OK! 124
Give your toddler choices 125
Ignore bad behavior. Show him a better way 125
Lavish thanks and praise on every effort to please you 125
When a tantrum happens 125
Tantrums do stop 125
Stress and anxiety 126
Soothing your crying toddler 126
Give your toddler a back rub 126
Your child may sob with grief 127
Some things you cannot fix 127
Stay calm 127
Stay close and wait 127
Change is hard for a toddler 127
Stick to your routine 127
You cannot fool him 127
Feeding your 16-month-old 128
3 ways to get a toddler to eat 128
First aid for a choking toddler 129
Potty training 130
When to start? 130
If it is hard, it is too soon 130
Are YOU ready? 130
Is your toddler ready? 130
Make it easy for her 131
Let her choose her underwear 131
Be ready to help 131
Expect misses 131
Praise, praise, praise 131
Doctor Mom 132
Checkups and shots: 18 months 132
Does he need his hearing checked? 132
Toddler skills check: 16-18 months 132
Does your child have a cold? 133
What to do about a cold 133
Repeat colds 133
Colds can lead to earaches 133
Antibiotics do not help a cold 134
If a doctor gives you antibiotics for your toddler 134
Diarrhea 134
What to do about diarrhea 134
Constipation 135
What to do about constipation 135
Call the doctor if: 135
Help your child stay well 135
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 136

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #6: 18 to 24 Months
Learning in Motion 137
A stormy, sweet time 137
Teaching and learning with your almost-2-year-old 138
Taking off her clothes 138
Learning about her body 138
Picking her nose 139
Learning good manners 139
Talking practice 139
Learning through play 140
The listening game 140
Sound games 140
Music Games 140
Toys for an 18 month-old 140
Dress-up games 141
A magical dress-up box 141
Discipline is teaching 142
Still too young to share 142
Toddlers hit and bite 142
She cannot stop herself 142
Too young for timeout 142
Teach her to use words, not force 143
She is too young to be mean 143
Each hit is a time to teach 143
Never bite or hit your toddler 143
Yikes! I hit my toddler! 143
Feeding your not-so-hungry toddler 144
Parent chooses what to eat 144
Child chooses how much to eat 144
Set a good example 144
Toddler servings are small 144
Keep breast feeding 144
Variety is the key! Offer your toddler many different foods 145
Keep your toddler safe 146
Pet safety 147
How to meet and greet a dog 147
Signs of dangerous dog 147
Safety reminders 147
Getting your toddler to sleep 148
A bedtime routine is the key to easy nights 148
Why a bedtime routine works 148
What time is bedtime? 148
Does your child seem 'wired' at bedtime? 149
Is he cranky at bedtime? 149
Keep bedtime simple 149
You set the bedtime routine 149
No toddler likes bedtime 149
Setting new limits 150
First 3 nights are hardest 150
Stick to your plan 150
Waking is normal - still 150
Your toddler dreams now 151
What to do 151
Keep night visits short, boring 151
Your toddler might climb out of the crib 151
Prepare now 151
Take care of yourself 152
Make a date with your partner 152
Forget Superwoman 152
Hire any help you can afford 152
Escape now and then 152
Doctor Mom 153
Pinworms keeping her awake? 153
Signs of pinworms 153
How a family gets pinworms 153
Getting rid of pinworms 153
Checkups and shots 154
Is your toddler on track? 154
Does he need to see a dentist? 154
Toddler skills check: 24 Months 154
Happy 2nd Birthday! 155
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 156

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #7: 24 to 30 Months
Playing to learn 157
Learning new words 157
I did it! 157
Teaching and learning with your 2 1/2-year-old 158
Play is your toddler's work 158
Join her in play 158
Naming colors 158
A box can be a cave, tunnel, car or boat 159
Follow the leader 160
Pretend ring 160
Writing practice 160
ABC magnets 160
Is he right- or left-handed? 160
Expect a flood of new words 161
Learning about feelings 161
She wants to be a 'big girl' 161
Questions teach best 161
More mixed feelings for you 161
Discipline for your toddler 162
Make few rules; stick to them 162
Rules for toddler 162
Rules for parents 162
Enforcing the rules 163
Discipline teaches your child what is - and what is not good behavior 163
Discipline teaches your toddler to keep the rules 163
Discipline teaches your toddler that he is good 163
Call for help 163
9 ways a father can help his toddler learn and grow 164
Safety tips for 2 1/2-year-olds 165
Take care of yourself 166
Are work or school and family out of balance in your life? 166
How to find a better balance 166
Find a good babysitter 167
Questions to ask a babysitter 167
New baby on the way? 168
Prepare your toddler 168
Give your toddler a doll baby 168
Prepare your pet, too 168
Show him his baby pictures 169
Big enough for a bed 169
Prepare him for the birth 169
Tell your child what to expect 169
Meeting the new baby 169
He may not be glad to see the baby 170
Let him help with the baby 170
He wants to be the baby, too 170
Stories help him understand 170
Praise him well 170
Feeding your 2 1/2-year-old 171
4 more ways to get your child to eat better 171
Doctor Mom 172
Checkup and shots 172
Toddler growth check 172
Does he need a TB test? 172
Time for a cholesterol test? 173
He still needs lots of sleep 173
From naptime to quiet time 173
Make a special quiet-time box 173
A checkup for your doctor 174
How to change doctors 175
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 176

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

Book #8: 30 to 36 Months
From toddler to preschooler 177
Teaching and learning with your 3-year-old 178
Keep reading! 178
Remember and imagine 178
Give her books with words 178
Let her 'read' the pictures 178
Tell family stories 179
Your child can tell stories, too 179
And then... 179
Crafts train little hands 180
Questions teach best 180
Paper puppets and puzzles 180
Writing practice 180
Keep practicing her name 181
Learning numbers 181
Learning about smells 181
Preschooler learning check 182
Discipline for your 3-year-old 182
A little angel, sometimes 183
Timeout for self-control 183
Get ready to try timeout 183
How to discipline by timeout 184
Other ways to use timeout 185
Walking timeout 185
Resting timeout 185
Toy tomeout 185
Parent's timeout 185
What do you want to teach? 186
Make your toddler's timeout a rest break for you 187
Preschooler safety 188
Practice for emergencies 188
Stop, drop, and roll 188
Is it time for a booster seat? 188
A belt-positioning booster seat is best 189
Shield booster seat is not safe 189
Let your toddler choose 189
Keep him away from air bags 189
Built-in car seats 189
Feeding your 3-year-old 190
Set a good example 190
Mix juice with water 190
Try new foods 190
Let him help in the kitchen 191
Beginners' kitchen jobs 191
Bigger kitchen jobs 191
Doctor Mom 192
Checkup and shots 192
Ask questions 192
Preschooler skills check 192
Time for potty training 193
Ignore potty mouth 193
Watch for "holding it" 193
It looks like he is training 193
Leaks look like accidents 194
Call for help 194
To avoid constipation and fear of painful poops 194
Your child needs lots of sleep 195
Night terrors signal stress 195
More sleep may help 195
What to do for night terrors 195
Warning Signs (Back Cover) 196

[Top] [Book 1] [Book 2] [Book 3] [Book 4] [Book 5] [Book 6] [Book 7] [Book 8]

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