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Toddler Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed from a Child Development Professional
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items Listen! There's probably not a whole lot that you don't already have from infancy! Here's just a few things, I have really loved when working with families. For toddlerhood we want to support their emotional development and their independence. Make s...
Sections
5
Eating
Potty Training
Supporting Independence
Social Emotional Development
Health & Safety
Eating
My favorite products when it comes to your toddler and eating.
For the times when you don't have your stroller, this things are so adorable and absolutely handy to set baby down and feed them. They fold up nicely and take up hardly any space. Great for picnics, beach days, and any time spent outdoors.
This is especially great when baby food is messy and you want to encourage your little one to feed themselves.
This is especially great when baby food is messy and you want to encourage your little one to feed themselves.
Parker portable booster seat
This company has so many cute prints for the portable booster seats!
Portable Booster Seats
Hands down my favorite bib!
Your little one is going to get messy during meal times no matter what! And I understand that we don't want their clothes to stain, so this is the perfect bib!
Side note: this is also great for art activities!
Your little one is going to get messy during meal times no matter what! And I understand that we don't want their clothes to stain, so this is the perfect bib!
Side note: this is also great for art activities!
Smock Bib
Suction plates and bowls are honestly the best!
If you haven't discovered yet, your baby is going to toss their plate! It's going to take them some time before they realize that its not ok to do that. In the meantime, invest in some of these plates and bowls.
I personally don't like silicone ones unless you use an unscented dish soap. Idk if you've ever used silicone items but they absorb flavors and it will “season” your little ones food.
If you haven't discovered yet, your baby is going to toss their plate! It's going to take them some time before they realize that its not ok to do that. In the meantime, invest in some of these plates and bowls.
I personally don't like silicone ones unless you use an unscented dish soap. Idk if you've ever used silicone items but they absorb flavors and it will “season” your little ones food.
Suction Plate for Baby & Toddlers | Lalo
Another options for suction bowls and plates if you don't want to use silicone.
Bamboo Baby Plates - BLW Silicone Suction Cup Divided Plate
Stainless steel is also a great option. I just don't like that if they manage to unsuction the bowl or plate and throw it, it's pretty loud crashing to the floor.
Silicone is my favorite to start out with until your little one learns not to throw their plate.
Silicone is my favorite to start out with until your little one learns not to throw their plate.
Stainless Steel Rainbow Baby Gift Set
These are my absolute favorite for snacking toddlers! Sometimes you can't avoid a mess BUT these help to minimize the mess as much as possible. It will allow your toddler to walk around while munching on something so they don't turn into gremlins fro...
Munchkin Snack Catcher | Toddler Snack Container
Hands down the most popular lunch box for your little ones that I've seen families use.
This isn't just a great option for preschoolers either. If you have a nanny at home or you're a stay at home parent, these are great for packing snacks and lunch to go to the park or spend the day our and about.
This isn't just a great option for preschoolers either. If you have a nanny at home or you're a stay at home parent, these are great for packing snacks and lunch to go to the park or spend the day our and about.
Lunch Boxes for Kids
Potty Training
Everyone will have an opinion on the absolute BEST way to potty train your toddler, but honestly, try things out and see if they work for you and your little one! One thing I will suggest, is introducing a potty early on rather than later. They don't...
These things are absolutely incredible when you're out and about or playing at a park that doesn't have a bathroom close by!
Definitely worth grabbing one if you spend a lot of time outside.
Definitely worth grabbing one if you spend a lot of time outside.
Portable Potty Chair with Travel Bag
Potty training can be scary and intimidating, not just for your little one, but for you as well. Not to mention its gross… bodily fluids will end up all over the place!
I love this seat because…. 1. Easy clean up! Trust me! Having to constantly empty a bowl is not fun! 2. It's a safer way for your toddler to get up on the toilet!
I've experienced toddlers slipping on stools if you don't have a good one. I've also seen toddlers terrified of sitting on the potty because it's kind of scary to sit up on a “high” seat without a lot of support.
I love this seat because…. 1. Easy clean up! Trust me! Having to constantly empty a bowl is not fun! 2. It's a safer way for your toddler to get up on the toilet!
I've experienced toddlers slipping on stools if you don't have a good one. I've also seen toddlers terrified of sitting on the potty because it's kind of scary to sit up on a “high” seat without a lot of support.
Potty Training Seat with 2 Step Ladder
This company has a lot of great options for potty seats! Find something that works best for you and your family. Having a little potty in a couple different areas of your house is also beneficial for encouraging your little one to go in the potty.
Potty Training | Potty Seats, Chairs, Ladders & Step Stools
Supporting Independence
This is the age of your tiny terror discovering their independence. Along with that comes their demand to do things all by themselves AND at their own pace, which can be pretty frustrating for parents.
Find whatever step stool you want BUT find one that has grip, not only on the bottom but the top as well.
I can't tell you how many times I've worked in a family home where there is just a regular step stood or a cute wooden one for the young toddler and they regularly slipped and fell off.
Find a stool similar to this one, until you feel their are more stable on their feet.
A stool is so helpful for supporting your toddlers need for independence. If you have a step stool in bathrooms and the kitchen, they can wash their hands themselves, grab things from a bookshelf/ counter, or help out in the kitchen.
I can't tell you how many times I've worked in a family home where there is just a regular step stood or a cute wooden one for the young toddler and they regularly slipped and fell off.
Find a stool similar to this one, until you feel their are more stable on their feet.
A stool is so helpful for supporting your toddlers need for independence. If you have a step stool in bathrooms and the kitchen, they can wash their hands themselves, grab things from a bookshelf/ counter, or help out in the kitchen.
Stable, non-slip step stool | BabyBjörn - Baby Bjorn
These types of stools are incredible for giving your toddler a safe place to help you in the kitchen.
The Learning Tower® Toddler Tower - Little Partners
Looks ridiculous and probably seems ridiculous but this is such a great starting “knife” for your little ones. There are all sorts of sets on the inter-webs. Find one! Use this one. Whatever your heart desires!
But encourage your child to participate in the kitchen and support not just their motor development, social development, and healthy eating by having them practice “cooking” at a young age.
But encourage your child to participate in the kitchen and support not just their motor development, social development, and healthy eating by having them practice “cooking” at a young age.
Mini Cutter Kids Knife
Social Emotional Development
Toddlerhood is the age of big emotions. They are going to feel lots of big feels and they don't know how to deal with it so you'll see a rise in emotional outbursts and aggressive behaviors. Here are some things that can help not only your toddler bu...
Sometimes your little one just needs a distraction to help them calm down, sensory bottles are great for taking body breaks. You can find a variety of them online but it's also super easy to DIY! Play around with various materials to create a slow fa...
You can start using these in your home when your toddler needs a break and something to focus on. Have them shake the bottle and watch the glitter fall. You can make themed ones.
You can start using these in your home when your toddler needs a break and something to focus on. Have them shake the bottle and watch the glitter fall. You can make themed ones.
Shake & Soothe Sensory Tubes
If you want a great activity for you kiddo, pick up these cards. There are 50 mindful activities you can do with them. This could also be good to do right before you start your bedtime routine or add it to your bedtime routine.
Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm
Read this in moments of calm or after your child has calmed down from a tantrum. This is a great way to start teaching them coping skills for the feelings they are feeling.
The Feelings Activity Book for Toddlers: 50 Fun Activities to Identify, Understand, and Manage Big Feelings
Health & Safety
This one may seem obvious BUT I needed to include this in the list.
If you haven't experienced it or you happen to have a unicorn of a child that doesn't fight you on sunscreen application. TRUST ME! Get yourself a sunscreen stick for your little ones.
I personally have loved this brand of sunscreen but honestly, pick whatever brand you love! Just also get it in stick form so you can just swipe it across your kids face and leave it at that.
If you haven't experienced it or you happen to have a unicorn of a child that doesn't fight you on sunscreen application. TRUST ME! Get yourself a sunscreen stick for your little ones.
I personally have loved this brand of sunscreen but honestly, pick whatever brand you love! Just also get it in stick form so you can just swipe it across your kids face and leave it at that.
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick
Car seats are expensive so I always strongly recommend families find an all-in-one because it grows with your kiddo. You'll use it for a few years vs just using it for a year.
As always, find a carseat that YOU can easily install correctly every time you put it in a car. There is no such thing as the safest carseat if you are unable to install it correctly. So find a car seat that works best for you and your budget.
As always, find a carseat that YOU can easily install correctly every time you put it in a car. There is no such thing as the safest carseat if you are unable to install it correctly. So find a car seat that works best for you and your budget.
Explore All-in-One Car Seats | Shop Now | Graco Baby
Toddlers will get into anything and everything. They will be in places they shouldn't, baby proofing is so important to keep them safe.
You might be a lucky parent where your child doesn't explore the places they shouldn't but you can never be too safe with your little ones.
You might be a lucky parent where your child doesn't explore the places they shouldn't but you can never be too safe with your little ones.
Health and Home Safety | Babyproofing & Wellness Products