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Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers
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    Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

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    essentials of Parenting

    Parenting is hard work! And it is fun and rewarding.

    There are many things you can do to help build a safe, stable, and nurturing relationship with your child. Essentials for Parenting will help you handle some common parenting challenges, so you can be a more confident parent and enjoy helping your child grow.

    Get expert advice on common parenting challenges

    Get expert advice on common parenting challenges

    Watch fun videos and

    Watch fun videos and “how-to’s” for specific positive parenting skills

    Practice your positive parenting skills with interactive activities

    Practice your positive parenting skills with interactive activities

    Get quick tips on common parenting questions

    Get quick tips on common parenting questions

    Overview of Essentials

    Overview of Essentials
    Find out more about the development of these resources.

    Communicating with Your Child

    Communicating with Your Child
    Get information on praise, imitation, and active listening.

    Creating Structure and Rules

    Creating Structure and Rules
    Set expectations using family rules, reward charts, and daily schedules.

    Giving Directions

    Giving Directions
    Encourage your child to listen by giving simple, effective directions.

    Using Consequences

    Using Consequences
    Learn about consequences like ignoring and distraction and tips for discipline.

    Using Time-Out

    Using Time-Out
    Discover tips about when, where, and how to use time out.

    Last Reviewed: October 14, 2021
    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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    homeEssentials Homepage
    • Overviewplus icon
      • Answers From Experts and Quick Tips
    • Communicating with Your Childplus icon
      • Responding to Behaviorplus icon
        • Praise, Imitation, and Description
      • Active Listening
      • Special Playtime
      • Answers from Experts
      • Quick Tips
    • Creating Structure and Rulesplus icon
      • Building Structure
      • Creating Rules
      • Answers from Experts
      • Quick Tips
    • Giving Directionsplus icon
      • Why Are Good Directions Important?
      • Steps for Giving Directions
      • Answers from Experts
      • Quick Tips
    • Using Discipline and Consequencesplus icon
      • Why are Consequences Important?
      • How to Use Rewardsplus icon
        • Steps for Creating a Reward Program
      • Steps for Using Consequences
      • How to Use Ignoringplus icon
        • Steps for Ignoring
      • Answers from Experts
      • Quick Tips
    • Using Time-Outplus icon
      • What is Time-Out?
      • Steps for Using Time-Out
      • Handling Time-Out Challenges
      • Locations and Other Keys
      • Answers from Experts
      • Quick Tips
    • Practice Parenting Skillsplus icon
      • Communicating with Your Child
      • Creating Structure and Rules
      • Giving Directionsplus icon
        • Scenario 1
        • Scenario 2
        • Scenario 3
        • Scenario 4
      • Using Discipline & Consequences
      • Using Time-Outplus icon
        • Scenario 1
        • Scenario 2
        • Scenario 3
        • Scenario 4
      • Creating a Time-Out Space
    • Parenting Videos
    • Other Resourcesplus icon
      • References
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