by Gary Ezzo & Dr. Robert Bucknam
Synopsis: There is no greater fulfillment a parent can receive than the upturned face of a toddler, eyes speaking wonders and a face of confi-dence in discovering a brand new world with Mom and Dad. In just over a year, the helpless infant emerges as a little mov
ing, talking, walking, exploratory person marked by keen senses, clear memory, quick perceptions and unlimited energy. He emerges into a period of life know affectionately as the toddler years. How ready are you for this new experience? The toddler years are the learning fields and you need a trust-worthy guide to take you through the unfolding maze of your child’s developing world. On Becoming Toddlerwise is a tool chest of workable strategies and ideas that multiplies your child’s learning opportunities in a loving and nurturing way. This resource is as practical as it is informative.
Introduction: Let’s face it. There is no end to a toddler’s creative expression, from munching on crayons to striking a Superman pose while standing-oh yes-on the grocery cart seat when your head is turned to the artichoke bin. A toddler’s day covers a gamut of challenges, including small tantrums in the pizza shop because there is a bubble on the cheese to tantrums at naptime because he is just too tired to rationalize the benefits of sleep. But there is a tender side of the same child.
Watching a wide-eyed toddler smile as Mom gently blows heavenward the tuft of silky white hair of spring’s last dandelion and then seeing a spontaneous clap of little hands, bears witness to the amazing reservoir of joy this child brings. A toddler takes his mother’s hand and pulls her toward the toy box because he remembers the pleasure of yesterday’s play and wants to share a new moment with Mom. When little hands pull a face close to touch noses or plant a kiss, a world of turmoil comes under the spell of a toddler’s expressions of love. All is at peace. The power of a toddler’s embrace, the joy of his smile, the comfort of his cuddling, all teach us about a simple love that is pure and unmeasured.
As educators, parents, and grandparents, we know of no greater fulfillment that a parent can receive than the upturned face of a child, eyes speaking wonders and a face of confidence in discovering the world with you. This is what makes parenting the most interesting subject in the world. In just over a year, the helpless infant emerges as a little moving, talking, walking, exploratory person marked by keen senses, clear memory, quick perceptions, and unlimited energy. He emerges into a period of life known affectionately as the Toddler Years.
On Becoming Toddlerwise concerns itself with this brief but significant window of growth, this vibrant period of your child’s life, from taking his first steps to mastering potty training. The second year of life is an amazing, spontaneous, engaging yet challenging time for the emergent child and his parents.
In view of the fact that a toddler’s mind is driven by curiosity, a need to investigate and a tendency to try and rule the world with a smile or a scream, it becomes essential to consider the influence of the home as the principal learning environment, and Mom and Dad as the principal teachers. The self-evident truth that early family life lays the foundation for later adjustments exists above all other assumptions.
As to the technical side of this book, it was our decision to use the masculine references of “he,” “his,” and “him” in most cases. The principles of this book will of course work just as well with raising daughters. Also, because the toddler phase does not follow chronological age, you will find some references to 14-to-40 months. This reference represents the broader period of toddler concerns even though most of this book is directed toward the second year of life, 12-to-24 months. Finally, we do not claim nor insist that this is all the information you will need to raise a toddler; it would take volumes more knowledge than we possess. Therefore, parents guided by their own convictions have the ultimate responsibility to research parenting philosophies available today and make an informed decision as to what is best for the family.
Thank you for letting us share in your unique adventure in parenting.
Gary Ezzo
