Bright Futures Parent Handout

18 Month Visit
Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family.

Talking and Hearing • Have your child’s car safety seat rear-facing • Have the parent of the same sex as your

TOILET-TRAINING READINESS
until your child is 2 years of age or until she child or an older brother or sister take your
LANGUAGE PROMOTION/HEARING

• Read and sing to your child often.

reaches the highest weight or height allowed child to the bathroom.
• Talk about and describe pictures in books.
by the car safety seat’s manufacturer. • Praise sitting on the potty or toilet even with
• Use simple words with your child.
• Everyone should always wear a seat belt in clothes on.
• Tell your child the words for her feelings. the car. • Take your child to choose underwear when
• Ask your child simple questions, confirm her • Lock away poisons, medications, and lawn he feels ready to do so.
answers, and explain simply. and cleaning supplies.
• Use simple, clear words to tell your child Your Child’s Behavior
• Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if you
what you want her to do. are worried your child has eaten something • Set limits that are important to you and ask
harmful. others to use them with your toddler.
Your Child and Family
• Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs • Be consistent with your toddler.
• Create time for your family to be together.
and guards on windows on the second floor • Praise your child for behaving well.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR

• Keep outings with a toddler brief—1 hour or and higher. • Play with your child each day by doing things
less.
SAFETY

• Move furniture away from windows. she likes.

• Do not expect a toddler to share.
• Watch your child closely when she is on • Keep time-outs brief. Tell your child in simple
• Give older children a safe place for toys they the stairs. words what she did wrong.
do not want to share.
• When backing out of the garage or driving • Tell your child what to do in a nice way.
• Teach your child not to hit, bite, or hurt other in the driveway, have another adult hold • Change your child’s focus to another toy or
people or pets. your child a safe distance away so he is not activity if she becomes upset.
• Your child may go from trying to be run over. • Parenting class can help you understand
independent to clinging; this is normal. • Never have a gun in the home. If you must your child’s behavior and teach you what
FAMILY SUPPORT

• Consider enrolling in a parent-toddler have a gun, store it unloaded and locked to do.
playgroup. with the ammunition locked separately from • Expect your child to cling to you in new
• Ask us for help in finding programs to help the gun. situations.
your family. • Prevent burns by keeping hot liquids,
• Prepare for your new baby by reading books matches, lighters, and the stove away from What to Expect at Your
about being a big brother or sister. your child. Child’s 2 Year Visit
• Spend time with each child. • Have a working smoke detector on every floor.
We will talk about
• Make sure you are also taking care of
yourself.
Toilet Training • Your talking child
• Signs of being ready for toilet training include • Your child and TV
TOILET-TRAINING READINESS

• Tell your child when he is doing a good job.

• Give your toddler many chances to try a new • Dry for 2 hours • Car and outside safety
food. Allow mouthing and touching to learn • Knows if he is wet or dry • Toilet training
about them. • Can pull pants down and up • How your child behaves
• Tell us if you need help with getting enough • Wants to learn
food for your family. • Can tell you if he is going to have a bowel
Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222
movement
Safety Child safety seat inspection:
SAFETY

• Read books about toilet training with your child.

• Use a car safety seat in the back seat of 1-866-SEATCHECK; seatcheck.org
all vehicles.

The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an

exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical
care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances,
may be appropriate. Original document included as part of
Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit. Copyright © 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 8/11. All Rights
Reserved. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not
review or endorse any modifications made to this document
and in no event shall the AAP be liable for any such changes.

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