Older babies and toddlers have an uncanny ability to undress themselves, whipping off shoes, socks or headgear at - well, the drop of a hat; but it takes much more skill and co-ordination for a child to get dressed independently.WhenFrom around 15

Sharing is not something that comes naturally to young children, but it is an important social skill that they will need to master to make friends. As with most skills, your job is to offer gentle guidance, encouragement and praise. Here are a few

repetition of stories, games and songs in order for your child to reach her full potential. Although it may be against the instinctive urge to encourage moving on to new skills, the advice to patience-thin parents is this: The next time your toddler repeats

A happy and content child is what every parent wishes for, so we spoke to Dr. Harvey Karp the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block, to find out his thoughts on nurturing happiness.What are the most important

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

to the development of abilities ranging from language to social skills,” explains developmental and behavioural paediatrician Dr Lisa Nalven. In addition, it’s a way of bonding with both parents. Until around three, toddlers are refreshingly indifferent to gender

’t appear until they can understand make-believe from about 18 months. But for many parents evidence abounds that babies are keen to join the comedy club. More baby and toddler tips from Junior:How to improve your child's fine motor skillsHow to have fun

and responses – playing tickly games and hiding toys. It’s absolutely crucial because how you interact with your parents in the first year of life can determine how your brain develops thereafter.”This playful interaction with babies is crucial to healthy

understanding of stories and can improve reading and language skills. In short, a little gender bending could actually help close the literacy gap between girls and boys. But toddlers are not driven by lessons in empathy or developmental goals. So why do they do