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What has worked well for your family when introducing toilet learning?

How did you know your child was ready?

What do you do when your child resists or has setbacks?

Drop your tips, stories, or questions below!

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How do you help your child deal with feelings like anger, frustration, or fear?

What’s your go-to strategy for helping your child calm down?

Have you found any books or activities that work well for your family?
Share below!

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What daily routines have helped your child feel secure?

Do you use charts, songs, or visuals to support routines?

How do you adjust routines when schedules change?

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This helpful article from Stanford Children’s Health walks through how to tell when a child might be ready for potty learning — and offers gentle, research-based tips to make the process smoother. You’ll find:

Signs of readiness (e.g. being able to dress themselves, understand instructions)

Practical steps to introduce the potty without pressure

Advice on handling accidents, setbacks, and timing

Realistic expectations (it often takes time — even years)

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Make a potty available, show your toddler how it works, then offer gentle encouragement.

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Welcome to Once Upon a Storybook! In this video, we bring you a fun and engaging children's book - "Potty" by Leslie Patricelli.

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Potty 💩 🚽 By  Leslie Patricelli Read Aloud Book Reading For Kids

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Read Aloud Book - Big Girl Panties by Fran Manushkin

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Read Aloud Book - Big Girl Panties by Fran Manushkin

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Big Girl Panties

by Fran Manushkin

Big Girl Panties! features a light, positive approach to motivate toddlers to become toilet trained. What could be more rewarding for a little girl than wearing big girl panties, just like mommy? Adult caregivers and toddlers alike will love the snappy, rhyming text and colorful, hip illustrations. Valeria Petrone's stylized artwork ensures that this commercial yet heartwarming book will have a special place on little girls' favorite bookshelves. Soon they'll all be saying, "Bye, bye diapers!" Description from Goodreads

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Read Aloud Book - Big Girl Panties by Fran Manushkin

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Free Printable Feelings Wheel PDF for Kids

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Free Printable Feelings Wheel PDF for Kids

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Feelings wheels are visual tools that categorize emotions into distinct categories, allowing children to pinpoint and articulate their feelings accurately. These wheels typically include a range of emotions, from basic to complex, providing a comprehensive framework for emotional exploration. The primary objective is to enhance a child’s emotional intelligence, promoting self-awareness and empathy.

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FREE Printable Feelings Wheel PDF | Kid Chore Charts

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Download our free printable feelings wheel PDF and start teaching your kids how to identify and express their emotions in a fun way.

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Promoting Children's Self-regulation with Tucker the Turtle

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Promoting Children's Self-regulation with Tucker the Turtle

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Get ready to think like a turtle! Tucker the Turtle is a fun interactive resource created to help children and families learn strategies to work through big feelings like anger. Tucker helps parents and caregivers support their children in learning what they can do to calm their body and emotions down. This user-friendly resource helps teach emotional regulation with a few simple steps. Tucker the Turtle also promotes emotional literacy, problem-solving, and self-regulation in an engaging way. Use the scripted story and song and finger play activities linked below to support young children to develop strategies for coping with strong feelings.

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Promoting Children’s Self-regulation with Tucker the Turtle | HeadStart.gov

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Tucker the Turtle is here to help children and families learn simple steps and strategies to work through big feelings like anger. This fun resource will have the whole family thinking like a turtle!

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Saying goodbye to a parent or caregiver—even for just a few hours—can be a difficult moment for young children. In “11 Ways to Help Children Say Goodbye,” NAEYC offers thoughtful, practical strategies to ease those transitions in a nurturing and predictable way. Whether through establishing familiar routines, giving children comfort objects, or coordinating with caregivers, these tips help foster security and confidence as children move into their day.

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Young children need support as they say goodbye to parents and family and start their day at child care. Use these tips to help your child transition into the classroom.

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Children love to help — and “Big Jobs” are meaningful tasks at home that go beyond chores. In this NAEYC article, you’ll find how everyday chores like setting the table, watering plants, or tidying up become powerful opportunities:

to build cooperation, responsibility, and family teamwork

to let children contribute to their home in ways that matter

to turn simple tasks into meaningful learning experiences

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Your child might take 15 minutes to finish a job you can do in one minute. But in 15 minutes your child can learn a lot!

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Have you ever used Early Intervention services or wondered if your child could benefit?

What questions do you have about the process?

If you’ve been through it, what helped you most as a parent?

What advice would you give other families starting out?

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What is Early Intervention? – Services that support children (birth to age 3)

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What is Early Intervention? – Services that support children (birth to age 3)

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🧩 What is Early Intervention? – Services that support children (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities.
📞 Illinois Early Intervention Program: 1-800-843-6154
🌐 Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse

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The Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Clearinghouse identifies and collects research-based and best-practice early intervention information to share with families.

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What You Need to Know: Early Intervention

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What You Need to Know: Early Intervention

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Early Intervention provides support for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who may have developmental delays or disabilities. This ZERO TO THREE article explains what Early Intervention is, why it matters, who qualifies, and how families can access services to help children thrive in everyday settings. Read more here.

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What You Need to Know: Early Intervention - ZERO TO THREE

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If you’re worried that your baby is delayed in their development, it’s a good idea to share your concerns with your health care provider. Your community’s early intervention program can also be an important source of help.

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Toddler Biting: Finding the Right Response

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Toddler Biting: Finding the Right Response

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Toddler biting is a very common behavior, but there is a lot that parents and caregivers can do to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate biting.

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Trying your best to understand the underlying cause of a toddler's biting will help you develop an effective response. Children bite in order to cope with a challenge or fulfill a need.

Toddler biting is a very common behavior, which means there are a lot of concerned parents out there. You are not alone. The good news is that there is a lot that parents and caregivers can do to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate biting.

To set the stage for effectively addressing this challenge, avoid calling or thinking of your child as a "biter" and ask others not to use this term. Labeling children can actually lead to them taking on the identity assigned to them, which can intensify biting behavior rather than eliminate it.

Shaming and harsh punishment do not reduce biting.

Children bite in order to cope with a challenge or fulfill a need. For example, your child may be biting to express a strong feeling (like frustration), communicate a need for personal space (maybe another child is standing too close) or to satisfy a need for oral stimulation. Trying your best to understand the underlying cause of the biting will help you develop an effective response. This makes it more likely that you will be successful in eliminating the behavior.

Why do toddlers bite?

There are many reasons why toddlers might bite. Some are listed below. If you think one of these reasons might by why your child is biting, read specific strategies on how to respond later in the article. Toddlers might bite if they:

Lack language skills necessary for expressing important needs or strong feelings like anger, frustration, joy, etc. Biting is a substitute for the messages he can't yet express in words like: I am so mad at you, You are standing too close to me, I am really excited, or I want to play with you.

Are overwhelmed by the sounds, light or activity level in this setting

Are experimenting to see what will happen

Need more active playtime

Are over-tired

Are teething

Have an need for oral stimulation

What Can I Do to Prevent Biting?

Questions to Consider

As you watch your child at play, you can begin to anticipate when a bite might occur. The following questions can guide you in identifying the kinds of situations often lead to biting:

1. What happened right before the bite?

2. Who was your child playing with?

3. Who was bit? Is it always the same child, or different children each time?

4. What was your child doing?

5. Where was your child?

6. Who was caring for your child?

Strategies to Prevent Toddler Biting

If you see signs that your child might be on the verge of biting, you can:

1. Distract your child with a toy or book. Suggest looking out the window or take a walk to another room or outside. The goal is to reduce the tension and shift your child's attention.

When parents shift their focus and energy to the child who was bitten, they clearly communicate that biting does not result in more attention. (Credit: Szefei / Shutterstock.com)

2. Suggest how your child might handle the situation that is triggering the need to bite. For example: Marcus, you can tell Ana: "You are a little too close to me. I don't like it when you touch my hair." If you think your child might be biting due to a need for oral stimulation, offer your child something he can safely bite and chew-a cracker, some carrot sticks, or a teether.

3. Suggest ways to share. Take out a kitchen timer to give children a visual reminder of how long they can each play with a particular toy. In a group caregiving setting, you will want to make sure that the classroom has more than one of the most popular toys. Sharing is one of the most common triggers for biting.

4. Reading books about biting can also help. As you read, ask your child how the different characters might be feeling. If you have an older toddler, you can ask him to "read" the book to you, by telling you what is happening based on the pictures. Some titles to recommend include:

What Do I Do When My Toddler Bites?

First, keep your own feelings in check. When a toddler bites, you might feel frustrated, infuriated, annoyed, embarrassed, and/or worried. All of these feelings are normal, but responding when you are in an intense emotional state is usually not a good idea. So calm yourself before you respond-count to 10, take a deep breath, or do whatever works for you.

In a firm, matter-of-fact voice (but not angry or yelling), say: No biting. Biting hurts. Comment on how the other child is feeling: Look, Madison is crying. She is crying because you bit her. Biting hurts. Keep it short, simple and clear.

Next, shift your attention to the child who was bitten. Often when a child bites, adults pay a lot of attention to him or her. This is usually negative attention, but it is still very reinforcing and can actually cause the biting behavior to continue, rather than stop. When parents shift their focus and energy to the child who was bitten, they clearly communicate that biting does not result in more attention. Showing concern and sympathy for the child who was bitten also teaches empathy. Remember, learning a new behavior takes time.

If your child is verbal and able to talk about his experiences, go back and talk with him about the different strategies he can use next time, instead of biting: If Tyler grabs your cuddly and won't let it go, you can say: "Tyler, that is my cuddly. Give it to me." If he won't give it back, you can come get me and I will help you. Or: When you want to play, you can say: "Will you play with me?" Then your friend knows you are ready to play.

Help the children move on. Ask: What would you like to play now? It might help to offer activities, like play-dough, drawing, or playing in sand or water, that allow them to release energy in constructive ways and can help them relax. The toddler who bit and the child who was hurt should not be made to play with one another, unless they want to.

Remember, learning a new behavior takes time. Your toddler may bite again, so continue watching playtime closely. It also helps to use the same words ( No biting. Biting hurts.) as consistently as possible to emphasize the message.

Strategies to Respond Based on Your Child's Development

1. Support Communication and Language Skills

If you think biting is a substitute for not having the language skills to express himself you can:

Put into words what you guess your child might be thinking: Tanya, do you want to have a turn on the tricycle? You can ask Henry, "Can I have a turn now?"

Help your child express his feelings in appropriate ways. If your child is really angry, you can say: Max, you are so mad! You are really, really angry. Then suggest a way to deal with these feelings: Making angry lion faces and growling, ripping up newspapers, punching the couch cushions, banging a drum, jumping up and down-whatever is acceptable to you.

Reinforce your child when he uses words to share his feelings: You asked me for a turn blowing bubbles instead of grabbing them. Great job. Here you go.

Give your child age-appropriate choices, for example, about what to wear or who to play with. Having choices gives children a sense of control and can reduce biting.

Consider a speech-language assessment if you think your child's verbal skills might be delayed.

2. Help Your Child Cope With Feeling Overwhelmed

If your child is easily overwhelmed by lights, sound, and activity, you can:

Keep television and radio off or on low volumes.

Avoid big crowds and high-activity settings like the mall or the playground on a sunny Saturday morning.

Schedule activities with a lot of sensory input (like clothes-shopping or trips to dentist or doctor) for your child's "best" times of day, when he is fed and well-rested.

Talk with your child's other caregivers about his difficulty managing a lot of sensory input. Brainstorm ways to reduce the stimulation in his other caregiving settings.

Give your child a firm "bear" hug when you sense she is feeling stressed and out of control and perhaps about to bite. This can help children feel "held together" which can be very soothing.

Create a "cozy corner" in your house with pillows, books and other quiet toys like stuffed animals, or use a playtent as a safe place to take a break. Explain that this is a place your child can go if he wants to be alone or feels out of control and needs to cool down. Ensure that your child's other caregiving settings have a "cozy corner" as well.

3. Explain the Effects of Their Actions

If your child is experimenting to see what will happen when he bites, you can:

Provide immediate, firm, unemotional (as best you can) feedback (No biting. Biting hurts.). Shift attention away from your child to the child who was bit.

Help your child understand about cause-and-effect: You bit Macy and now she is crying. When you bite, it hurts your friends. Biting is never okay.

4. Provide Opportunities for Active Play

If your child needs more active play, you can:

Set aside time each day to be active. Take a walk after breakfast. Turn music on while you are cooking dinner and have your child dance with you.

Talk with your child's other caregivers to ensure that active play is a part of everyday. Toddlers who bite should not be punished by losing "recess" time. This may make the problem worse.

Build activity into your child's everyday routines-for example, doing 10 jumping jacks before lunch or stretching before bed.

5. Address Sleep Challenges

If your child is over-tired, you can:

Try incrementally moving her bedtime 30 to 60 minutes earlier over a few weeks.

Set up a schedule of naps or, if she won't nap, "quiet times" when she is in her crib or bed with a book and soft music playing.

Avoid play-dates or other potentially stressful activities on days when she is very tired.

Tell your child's other caregivers when she has not slept well or is tired so they can shadow her, in order to reduce the possibility of a biting incident.

6. Support Healthy Teething

If your child is teething, you can:

Offer him a teether or cold washcloth to bite.

Talk to your child's caregivers to make sure they understand he is teething and to identify appropriate teethers in the classroom.

7. Provide Oral Stimulation

If your child has a need for oral stimulation:

Offer her crunchy (healthy) snacks at regular intervals across the day. Research has found that this intervention can actually reduce biting incidents.

When to Seek Help

While biting is very common behavior, it usually stops by age 3 to 3 ½. If your toddler continues to bite, or the number of bites increases instead of decreases over time, it is probably a good idea to request an assessment from a child development specialist.

This professional can help you identify the reason for the biting and develop a strategy for addressing the behavior. Remember, there is no quick fix. Over time, and with assistance, your child will stop biting and use more appropriate ways to express her needs.

What absolutely WILL NOT work to stop biting?

Shaming or harsh punishment do not reduce toddler biting, but they do increase your child's fear and worry-which can actually increase biting incidents. Aggressive responses like these also do not teach your child the social skills he or she needs to cope with the situations that trigger biting.

Biting your child back, which some might suggest, is not a useful response. There is no research to show this behavior reduces biting. However, it does teach your child that it's okay to bite people when you are upset! Keep in mind that human bites can be dangerous, and biting constitutes child abuse. This is not an appropriate response to toddler biting.

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Toddler Biting: Finding the Right Response

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Trying your best to understand the underlying cause of toddler biting will help you develop an effective response.

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“A Day With No Words” is a children’s book that reflects on what life can look like for families who use alternative or augmentative communication.

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🫶 📱 A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond 2023

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Children’s Read Aloud 🖍️ | Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier

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Children’s Read Aloud 🖍️ | Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier

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Join the Robinsons as we dive into "Broken Crayons Still Color" by Toni Collier and Whitney Bak, with fantastic illustrations by Natalie Vasilica! Get ready for a heartwarming tale about embracing imperfections, conquering big emotions, and discovering that even the most smashed-up crayon can create a masterpiece.

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Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier

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by David Shannon (Author, Illustrator) Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orchard Books When David Shannon was five years old, he wrote and illustrated his first book. On every page were these words: NO, DAVID!... and a picture of David doing things he was not supposed to do. Now David is all grown up. But some things never change...

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🐒Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang (Read Aloud)for children | Storytime | Emotions |Miss Jill

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🐒Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang (Read Aloud)for children | Storytime | Emotions |Miss Jill

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Grumpy Monkey is well, grumpy. Sometimes we feel this way. Find out what he does and how his friends try to help him out. Please join us for a dramatic read of Grumpy Monkey🐒 by Suzanne Lang read by Miss Jill. #grumpymonkey #kidsbooksonline #readaloud

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🐒Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang (Read Aloud)for children | Storytime | Emotions |Miss Jill

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Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer - Little Critter - Read Aloud Books for Children - Storytime

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Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer - Little Critter - Read Aloud Books for Children - Storytime

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Bedtime has never been this fun (or funny)! Mercer Mayer’s "Just Go to Bed" is the perfect story for winding down the day with smiles and giggles. From imaginative dress-ups to playful antics, Little Critter’s journey to bed captures all the charm and humor parents and kids love. Whether your child is a natural night owl or loves storytime, this beloved tale is sure to make bedtime a little easier—and a lot more fun!

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Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer - Little Critter - Read Aloud Books for Children - Storytime

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Why do We Brush Our Teeth? | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids

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Why do We Brush Our Teeth? | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids

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We all need to do it! Learn why we all should brush our teeth, and how brushing keeps our teeth strong and healthy!

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Why do We Brush Our Teeth? | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids

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Pete the Kitty: Wash Your Hands! | Fun Read Aloud for Kids

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Pete the Kitty: Wash Your Hands! | Fun Read Aloud for Kids

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🧼🖐 Get ready to sing, scrub, and smile with Pete the Kitty! In this fun and helpful read-aloud, Pete the Kitty: Wash Your Hands! by Kimberly and James Dean, Pete shows us how to stay clean and healthy by washing our hands the right way!

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Pete the Kitty: Wash Your Hands! | Fun Read Aloud for Kids

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The Pigeon Explains How to Clean Your Room | Video for Kids | Mo Willems Workshop

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The Pigeon Explains How to Clean Your Room | Video for Kids | Mo Willems Workshop

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Join the Pigeon in The Pigeon Explains as we learn how to clean a bedroom with Blaze on the Mo Willems Workshop Channel!

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The Pigeon Explains How to Clean Your Room | Video for Kids | Mo Willems Workshop

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Parenting is rewarding—but also exhausting.

What helps you recharge after a stressful day?

How do you make space for your own needs while caring for your child?

What self-care routines actually feel doable for you right now?

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General Parenting Mental Health Resources

Find resources on caregiving as a parent – whether caring for children or your own parents.

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Mental Health Resources for Parents | Mental Health America

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Strategies Families Can Use for Dealing with Stress

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Strategies Families Can Use for Dealing with Stress

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Stress is a reality in our lives, but when it regularly interferes with our daily functioning or well-being, it becomes important to address. This is particularly true for families: Research has shown that children tune in to the stress levels of the adults around them. When stress is ongoing, it can impact children’s emotions, relationships, and learning. Here are some ways that you can recognize stress and lessen it.

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Message in a Backpack™. Strategies Families Can Use for Dealing with Stress

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NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.