Children can seem to race through their toddler years, and the speed of their growth and skill development between 18 and 36 months can leave parents panting to keep up.

Overall, toddlers learn by playing and need both structured and unstructured play to learn, practice and master new skills. The mastery of each new skill allows the child to progress to the next level of development, going through a number of developmental stages on their way to becoming accomplished 4-year-old children.

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Learning is an adventure and a journey we begin the first time we become aware of our surroundings.

According to The Ounce of Prevention Fund, the first three years of a child’s life is especially important as a way to predict future successes — in school and in life. More specifically, they note how “Early experiences that are language-rich and nurturing promote healthy brain development. So finding a high-quality early learning setting is essential for parents who work and seek child care.”

Here are tips to help prepare your toddler for their big day: that first day of child care.

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If you’ve read about potty training, talked to friends with young children and are still seeking additional help, here are six potty training tips you may be overlooking.

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Language use begins to blossom when a child is a toddler, and there are plenty of ways to encourage your child. Here are four of them.

Understand Typical Toddler Milestones

When you understand what’s typical for the toddler stage, you can:

• Manage your own expectations, not expecting too much, too soon
• Appropriately challenge your child’s language development

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Your toddler who is rather shy or one who is already the life of any gathering. No matter where your child falls on this spectrum, he or she will benefit from age-appropriate opportunities to socialize. Socialization, in fact, is an important part of your child’s development overall — with social milestones helping your child to “manage personal feelings, understand others' feelings and needs, and interact in a respectful and acceptable way.” Read on to learn how socialization benefits toddlers.

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Mix mud, water, add toddlers and what do you get? A fantastic, sensory-filled experience that your child will love. At North Olmsted Horizon Education Center, the toddler Mud Day is always a great time for the kids.

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Question: Why is six afraid of seven?
Answer: Because seven “ate” nine!

Question: What did the sea say to the sand?
Answer: Nothing. It just waved!

Question: Why did the boy throw his watch out the window?
Answer: He wanted to see time fly!

Although YOU may not find these riddles side-splittingly funny, it’s likely that your preschooler will laugh out loud at the answers – and may want to ask you these riddles over and over again.

It’s important, though, to encourage the development of humor in your preschooler. Here’s more about why.

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