and fireworks; a toddler’s brand new ears are far better at picking up higher frequencies than the average adult.Despite being fussy eaters, most toddlers will try to take a chunk out of your finger at some point: The biting stage peaks at around three years old

and space away from the adult gaze,” confirms Tim Gill, former former director of the Children’s Play Council. “  In their secret places, all kinds of imaginative processes come into play. At the same time, they are experiencing their first taste

Lead by exampleToddlers are renowned for their sponge-like ability to soak up the words, actions and behaviour they witness and then test it out on others. Try to avoid talking negatively about other people or using insulting language in front

is puzzled because the learned association is not followed through.Toys are to babies what work is to adults. Without play, a child would not thrive in the way that without work most grown-ups would not. Perhaps most importantly, for a baby to play with a toy

and store new information.Whilst to an adult reading the same story tens of times would become dull and predictable, to a toddler it is incredibly exciting as she will be able to anticipate what is coming next, quite an achievement for someone with an as yet

odd movements is as funny to a baby as it would be to an adult. Someone falling over and wailing or hitting their head and shouting “ouch” guarantees a chortle; a parent putting a dummy in his mouth and spitting it out is the height of hilarity even

LONG ACKNOWLEDGED FOR its health benefits for adults, is yoga really suitable for babies? Baby yoga is becoming widely recognised as one of the best ways for mothers to bond with their babies while meeting other like-minded parents. “I think parents

.jojomamnbebe.co.uk).If you want a baby bath for home, consider getting one that sits on top of the adult bath to save your back. Supabath has an integral soap dish and plug and fits most standard UK baths, £22.99, suitable from birth, from Mothercare (www

.What experts advise is mostly common sense and a degree of patience. Children need to hear you speaking, to be read to and spoken to directly so they can see how you form words and expressions. Then they need plenty of practice, both with children and adults

identity, so a girl gets as much fun out of DIY-ing with Daddy as her brother does. And then, paradoxically, imitation also gives toddlers a stepping stone to independence. As they copy adults, toddlers think: “Wow! Look what I can do. Aren’t I clever?” So