Age: 2 Years

Time Outs

Time Outs for 2, 3, and 4 year olds

Quiet time, thinking time, cooling off time.

  • Use time for things you cannot ignore, like hurting someone else.

Green timeout chairUse a timeout chair at the side of the room.

  • Or use their bedroom for a timeout room.
  • If you are away from home, use a chair or bench off to the side of where you are.

Short! One minute for each year of age (2 year olds = 2 minutes). A timer can help.

Tell the child to go to timeout.

  • If they do not go, take them by the hand or carry them there.
  • Tell them why: “Don’t hit.” “Be kind to your friends.”

If they leave, reset the timer and start over. Ignore tantrums.

  • If they try to leave, take them back and start the time over.
  • Hold them for 2-4 minutes if needed until they learn that you will not let them leave time out.

When the time is over or timer rings, say “Time out is over. You can get up now.”

Potty Training

Wait until your child is ready. He or she:

  • knows the words “pee, “poop,” “wet,” “dry,” “potty. “
  • knows what the potty is for
  • likes clean dry diapers better than wet ones.
  • comes to you when he or she is wet or dirty.
  • shows the need to pee or poop: jumping, holding himself, squatting.
  • starts to wake up from naps dry.
  • goes off alone to pee or poop.

Get some things you will need:

  • A potty chair that sits on the floor.
  • Books to read like, Once Upon a Potty, Everybody Poops, The Potty Book.
  • Treats and stickers for rewards.
  • “Big boy” or “big girl” pants.

Training toilet

Practice going to the potty.

  • When your child wakes up dry from a nap.
  • About 20 minutes after eating.
  • When they seems to need to pee or poop (by the way their face looks, or by the way they move).

Say, “Let’s go use the potty.”

  • Walk the child to the potty.
  • Take off diapers or pants.
  • Read a story or sing a song so they can sit for a while.
  • If the child wants to get up, let them. Do not make them to stay there.
  • Practice for only about 5 minutes.

Say “Good job!” when he or she tries.

  • Give rewards for using the potty.

Important information about your 2 year old

Family

Set firm, fair rules and keep them the same to teach your child respect and discipline. Make timeouts in a neutral area of the house (one minute for each year of age) with no toys or distractions. Do not talk to your child when they are in timeout. Listen to your child and explain to them why they are in timeout afterwards. Help your child feel included with family routines and praise them for good behavior.

Development

Read with your child every day. Model respectful behavior and language to your child. Offer two good options and let your child decide which option to pick. Your child will enjoy playing with other children but is still in a “selfish” stage. They are not ready to share but you can teach them to take turns. Do not allow biting or hitting. Reinforce the desired behavior. Singing and rhyming games with your child are important. Encourage self expression. Help your child express their joy, anger, sadness, and other emotions by saying “I see you are sad/angry/happy…”

Health

The following are signs that your child is ready to toilet train: This is when they know if they are wet and dry, can pull their pants up and down, knows when they get the urge to go to the bathroom, wakes up dry from naps and knows what the potty is used for. Hygiene is important. Teach your child how to wash their hands and to sneeze/cough in their elbow. Help your child brush their teeth twice a day with children’s toothpaste. Limit screen time to no more than 1 hour/day of educational material. Visit www.commonsensemedia.org (helps families make smart media choices, with ratings of apps, games, and movies). Screens (phone, tablet, TV) can delay language growth, thinking skills, attention, and behavior. Encourage physical activity/tech-free time as a family. Do not let your child eat in front of the TV.

Nutrition

Your child should eat 3 meals with 2-3 healthy snacks per day. Give snacks like fruits, vegetables, turkey/cheese roll-up and plain or vanilla yogurt (avoid snacks like yakult and danonino). 1% or 2% milk and water are best (in sippy cup). Encourage your child to feed themselves and let them decide what and how much they want to eat off of the plate. Do not force or get frustrated if they refuse food. Visit www.healthychildren.org/growinghealthy to learn more about healthy eating habits.

Safety

Make sure your home is safe for your child. Keep medicines and cleaning liquids out of reach. Use an age-appropriate rear-facing seat for your child. The back seat of the car is the safest place for them. Watch your child when they are around cars. Around water, always be within arm’s reach of your child, and sign them up for swim lessons. Keep matches out of sight and test smoke alarms every six months. Make sure they use a helmet when riding a bike.

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

After Hours and Weekends
After 4:00 PM and before 8:00 AM
For medical advice when People’s is closed call After Hours Nurse line at 512-478-4939

Download PDF here.

The Magic of Everyday Moments (24-36 Months)

Remember, everyday moments are rich bonding and learning opportunities. Enjoy the magic of these moments with your child.

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Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., is a company solely
dedicated to improving maternal and children’s healthcare through the advancement of continued learning and research in pediatrics, child development, parenting and maternity care. Through partnerships with leading healthcare professionals, developmental specialists and international organizations, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute, L.L.C., identifies, develops and implements initiatives and programs that help shape the future of children’s health around the world.

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ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization of renowned pediatricians, educators, researchers, and other child development experts who specialize in the first years of life.

Your “baby” isn’t a baby anymore! He has ideas and opinions of his own. He can also do so much for himself—dress (or at least help), eat, and talk, talk, talk. While these accomplishments may delight you and make you feel proud, you may also feel a sense of sadness or loss, wondering where the time has gone.

This third year is a magical time as imagination is blossoming. Two-year-olds often spend a lot of time in the world of pretend. When you watch your child and join in (while letting him be the director) you will learn a lot about what he is thinking and feeling. He may make up stories where he is the dad who goes to work and you are the child left at home or in child care. He may be the king who gets everything he wants!

There may be some big adjustments ahead for both of you, as well. You might be considering pre-school. Learning to use the potty may be on the horizon. Perhaps there is a new baby coming into the picture. You may be concerned about how your toddler will adjust… or how you will handle two! These are all opportunities to help your child learn to cope with life’s changes.

Download The Magic of Everyday Moments™ (24-36 Months)

How to keep your child in one piece

WALK SAFE.

  • Always look both ways when you cross the street. Hold hands in streets and parking lots!
  • Always wear white clothes when you walk at night.
  • Never play by the curb, at a bus stop, or by railroad tracks.

RIDE SAFE.

  • Car crashes are the biggest danger for children 5 to 15 years old.
  • Always wear seatbelts!
  • Always put young children in safety seats.
  • Never ride in the back of a pick-up!

PLAY SAFE.

  • Always wear a helmet when you ride a bike.
  • Always wear a lifejacket on a boat or by water.
  • Never leave a child alone in a tub or pool.

There are some dangers in your child’s world, and you can help them be safe.

Tips for your 1.5-2 Year Old Child

HELP ME BE HEALTHY.

At this checkup, the doctor will:

  • Weigh and measure me.
  • Test how well I hear and see.
  • Ask to describe how I play and what I like to do.
  • Ask to describe what and how much I eat.

Ask my doctor if I should be screened for lead.

Find out about children’s health insurance.
If you don’t have health insurance for me, call the Children’s Health Insurance Program toll-free at 1-877-543-7669 (1-877-KIDS-NOW).

Be patient about potty training.
I know you are getting tired of changing my diapers. You would really like me to use the toilet. Don’t rush me. It will be easier to teach me how to use the toilet if you wait until I can tell you I’m wet.

Take me to the dentist again.
Set up a time for me to see the dentist and get my teeth checked. Be sure to check my teeth when you brush them for me. If you see any white or brown spots, take me to the dentist soon. Help me grow up with no cavities.

KEEP ME SAFE.

  • My house may be safe for me, but what happens when we visit new places? Keep me in your sight so I don’t get into any safe­ty problems. Take some toys for me so I don’t have to go exploring.
  • If someone comes to visit us, put the visitor’s pocketbook or bag in a place where I can’t reach it. There could be some pills and other things in there that I should not have.
  • Are there any doors that I could lock? Could I lock myself in the bathroom? Is there a way that you could get me out? An outside lock release on the bathroom door would solve that problem.

HELP ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.

  • I like to be told when I have done a good job.
  • Hug me, cuddle me, and tell me you love me.
  • Thank me if I’m helpful.
  • Tell me what to do, instead of what not to do.
  • Listen to what I have to say and answer my questions.

Praise me when I’m doing what you want. For example, if I cover my mouth when I cough, say, “I’m glad you covered your mouth when you coughed.”

PLAY WITH ME, IT HELPS ME LEARN.

  • Play “Dress Up” and “Telephone” with me. Help me pretend.
  • Say nursery rhymes and sing songs with me.
  • Help me put puzzles together and build with shoe boxes.
  • Let me play in front of a mirror.
  • Show me how to use things we have around the house. Let me use a broom or a mixing spoon.
  • Take me on walks and let me look, listen, and touch.
  • Find a playmate for me. Have another child come over or take me to a com­munity play group. I can learn to play with other children.
  • Offer me choices. I can tell you if I want to wear red or blue today or if I want a banana or cracker.
  • Let me play with a pan of water or sand so I can pour, scoop, and dig.
  • Point at different objects and tell me the color of each object. Soon I can tell you what colors they are.
  • Play some music so we can dance.
  • Talk with me before I go to bed. Let’s talk about what happened today and what’s going to happen tomorrow.
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Keeping Your Baby’s Teeth Healthy

TIPS FOR HEALTHY TEETH:

  • Take good care of your child’s baby teeth. They help your child chew food, speak clearly, and save space for their adult teeth.
  • Keep your teeth and mouth clean. You can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby by kissing or sharing food.
  • Do NOT let your child carry a bottle or cup of juice, milk, or sweet drinks. Sipping on sugary drinks all day can cause tooth decay.

BIRTH – 6 MONTHS

  • Breastfed babies have fewer dental problems and less tooth decay than bottle-fed babies.
  • Wipe your baby’s mouth and gums at least once a day with a soft, clean washcloth.
  • Hold your baby when you feed them. Do NOT put your baby to bed with a bottle.
  • Do not prop up your baby’s bottle.

6-12 MONTHS

  • Your baby is ready to start using a cup.
  • Give your baby a little breastmilk, formula, water, or juice in a cup at mealtimes.
  • Limit juice to 2-4 ounces per day. Never put juice in a bottle.
  • At 9 months, gradually start replacing one bottle at a time with a cup.

 

FIRST BIRTHDAY

  • Take your child to the dentist for their first checkup. Lookout for white spots on their teeth as this could be a sign of cavities.
  • Only give your child a cup, they do not need bottles anymore

 

1-5 YEARS:

  • Help your child brush their teeth at least twice a day. Do not use toothpaste until they are 3 years old, and only use a pea-sized amount.
  • At 15 months your child should stop using no-spill cups
  • Give your child healthy snacks, like vegetables, fruits, cheese, and yogurt.
  • Limit juice.
    • 1-3 years old, limit juice to 4 ounces a day.
    • 4-6 years old, limit juice to 6 ounces a day.
  • Limit sugary foods and drinks, including fruit drinks/juice, sweet tea, and sugary cereals.

Protect your children from lead poison

LEAD IS POISON TO:

  • Red Blood Cells
  • Kidneys
  • Reproductive Organs
  • Bones
  • The Brain
  • Even Children Who Are Not Born Yet!
  • Children, Especially Under the Age of 6

LEAD IS FOUND IN:

  • Some Peeling Paint
  • Batteries
  • Lead Pipes
  • Bullets and Lead Weights
  • Folk Remedies
  • Food Grown in Contaminated Soil
  • Lead-Glazed Pottery or Pewter Dishes

YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR CHILD!

  • Have your child’s blood tested for lead.

Peeling Paint

  • Cover areas that have peeling paint with paneling, wallpaper, or sheet-rock
  • Do not remove peeling lead-based paint yourself. Lead dust can be deadly if you breathe it in.

Food

  • Feed your child three healthy meals and two nutritious snacks each day. Your child’s stomach absorbs more lead when it is empty.
  • Give your child foods high in iron (like beans, fortified cereals, and raisins) and calcium (like milk, yogurt, and cheese). Calcium and iron help keep lead out of your child’s blood.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Wash hands before meals.

Other

  • Do not use water from the hot tap for drinking, cooking, or preparing infant formula.
  • Do not cook or store food in cans, pottery, ceramics, or leaded crystal. Some cans have seams made with lead. Some pottery (including Mexican beanpots), ceramics, and crystal also contain lead.
  • Do not let your children play near abandoned autos or with automobile batteries or radiators.
  • Plant grass and shrubs over bare dirt in the yard.
  • Damp-mop floors often and clean surfaces with a strong household cleaner.

Who can I call if I have questions about lead?

  • Your local health department
  • Your doctor
  • Texas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 1-800-588-1248

The 5 FIND Elements of Serve and Return

The early years of a child’s life are important because their brains are growing. The experiences that a child has affects how their brain grows. One of the most important things adults do to support healthy brain development is called Serve and Return. Children serve when they do something, say something, or look at something. Adults return the serve when they respond. It’s these everyday moments that promote healthy brain development in young children.

Woman and child playing with a dandelion

Sharing a Child's Focus

This happens when you notice a child’s serve, and get interested in what they are doing, seeing, or feeling.

Noticing serves helps you identify a child’s interests and needs, and gives you an opportunity to respond.

Mother and father helping baby eat a banana

Supporting and Encouraging

You give support when you comfort a child, provide them with something they want or need, or help them do or understand something.

You encourage a child when you praise them, play with them, or acknowledge them.

Returning serves with support and encouragement strengthens your relationship with a child.

Woman helping children paint on paper

Naming

Naming happens when you provide a word or label for what a child is doing, seeing, or feeling.

Returning serves with naming helps build language. Naming feelings helps children learn about their emotions and how to cope with them.

Man holding out a blue ball to young child

Back and Forth

Once you return a serve with support, encouragement, or naming, interactions often go Back and Forth. Waiting for a child to respond gives them time to come up with their own ideas and responses.

These longer interactions build thinking, language, and social skills.

Baby crawling on ground with woman behind him encouraing

Endings and Beginnings

This happens when a child shows you they are all done with one activity, they serve by showing interest in something new, and you join them in the new activity.

Child led Endings and Beginnings encourages a child to explore their environment, and can help transitions go more smoothly.

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Filming Interactions to Nurture Development (FIND) is a strengths-based, video coaching program for parents and other caregivers of young children.

To participate in FIND offered at PCC, contact: Celina Nance 512-684-1749

Domestic Violence is a Crime

Domestic Violence is a Crime

It may begin gradually as verbal or emotional attacks. It can start when your pregnant or when your baby is born. However, domestic violence is not okay.

What is Abuse?

  • Emotional Abuse
    • Constant criticism and jealousy
    • Making you feel bad and blaming you for when you are not at fault
    • Being lied to, punished, or threatened
  • Isolation
    • Preventing you from seeing friends or family
    • Your partner is very jealous of anyone else in your life
  • Threats
    • Your partner threatens your family, friends, pets, or property
  • Economic Abuse
    • Your control over money or income is threatened
  • Physical Abuse
    • Pushing, slapping, kicking, biting, restraining, use of weapon against your, or having things thrown at you
  • Sexual Abuse
    • You are forced to have sex or your partner refuses to practice birth control
  • Property Destruction
    • Smashing, destroying, stealing, or damaging things you value

Truths About Abuse

  • No one deserves abuse
  • Domestic violence is not mutual – it is not just an argument or a lover’s quarrel.
  • People who stay in abusive relationships do not enjoy violence – leaving is not simple, some people are too frightened while others hope the abuse will stop.
  • Abuse can be found in all parts of the community – people from any social group can be abused.
  • There is no excuse for violent behavior – violence is a choice, the abusive person is responsible for their actions.

If You are a Victim or a Survivor of Abuse

You are not to blame for another person’s violence.

You have the right to a safe, healthy relationship.

You deserve to be treated with respect.

Make a safety plan in case you need to leave quickly.

Establish contacts with friends/family to go to in an emergency.

Consider getting a protective order to protect yourself.

A pregnant belly being cradled by female hands

Abuse and Pregnancy

For 1 of every 3 women who are abused, the first abuse happens during pregnancy

An unhealthy relationship is not just physically hurtful. All abuses are dangerous to your well being and the well being of your unborn child.

Being abused before or during your pregnancy increases your risk of miscarriage, anemia, infections, bleeding during the first two trimesters, and having a low birth weight baby.

One hand reaching out and grabbing another in support

Reach Out for Support

  • You are not alone. Support and help are here.
  • Call the Safe Place 24 hour help line: 512-267-7233
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-700-7233
  • Austin Police Department Victim Services: 512-974-5037
  • Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: 1-800-252-5400
  • United Way Capitol Area: 211.
  • Dial 911 in an emergency.

This brochure is based on information provided by Safe Place.