You may have heard the expression “the first years last forever.” This means that the experiences your child has in the early months and years of life help shape his brain’s structure, organization, and function for the rest of his life. At birth your child’s brain is not fully developed. As your child explores the world his brain acts like a sponge, absorbing events, experiences, and feelings as it develops. You feed your child healthy food and provide active play so that his body can grow and thrive. You also need to provide positive emotional, physical, and intellectual experiences so his brain can grow and be healthy.

This section discusses development and health issues in the toddler years, as well as child care choices, home safety and parent support.

The information on this site is selected from the B.C. Government publication, Toddler’s First Steps: A Best Chance Guide to Parenting Your Six-Month to Three-Year-Old .  For more comprehensive information on caring for your toddler, please refer to this publication.