Book SummaryOn Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise, by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise

Physical Development Transitions

During the pre-toddler phase, significant advancements occur in their ability to move, eating routines, and sleep behaviors.

The period from twelve to eighteen months marks a transition from infancy into the early phases of a child's life. Your child is experiencing considerable developmental changes. As their child develops skills like ambulation, begins teething, and starts to communicate verbally, it's crucial for parents to adjust and react appropriately.

Transitioning from purees to solid foods requires changes to the quantity of food consumed, its nutritional value, and the routines associated with meal times.

Upon reaching their first year, most children are prepared to transition away from pureed baby foods and begin consuming the same foods as the rest of the family. At this stage, there is no need to buy store-bought baby food, with the possible exception of iron-fortified cereal for infants. Ezzo and Bucknam recommend serving three main meals each day and adding a supplementary snack later in the day, adjusting both the type and amount of food to meet the evolving nutritional needs of the child.

The authors emphasize the importance of offering small portions – between a teaspoon and a tablespoon – and allowing the child to request more, fostering self-regulation and preventing overeating. They recommend limiting the intake of beverages, particularly fruit juices, shortly before meals to prevent a decrease in hunger. The book further highlights the tendency for pre-toddlers to develop a pattern where they eat most of their food at a specific time, which then becomes their primary mealtime. Parents need not be concerned about their child's health when they ensure the child receives a diet that is well-balanced and contains around 1,000 calories daily. During this stage, it is crucial to grasp the fundamental food groups—grains, proteins, vegetables, and dairy—along with the appropriate daily serving sizes.

As they develop, pre-toddlers shift from needing two naps each day to only one, which calls for careful planning to ensure they stay rested and alert.

Ezzo and Bucknam observe that pre-toddlers generally adhere to a daily routine that includes napping twice until they reach approximately seventeen months of age. During this stage of development, it might be appropriate to transition to a single afternoon nap. The transition into this phase is often characterized by a subtle change, as the consistency and duration of naps start to decrease. The authors suggest being observant for signs like irritability and eye-rubbing, which suggest your child might be in need of rest, before the midday meal. Your child may appear to be at ease while engaging in solitary play within their crib, yet they likely still need their morning rest period.

Ezzo and Bucknam advise conducting a comprehensive evaluation of sleep habits during the day. Once the morning nap is no longer part of the routine, it's crucial to lengthen the afternoon nap so that the total nap time still amounts to approximately three to four hours, consistent with the previous total. They suggest letting a weary child rest rather than compelling them to remain awake, which might interfere with their sleep patterns and result in exhaustion. The authors recommend cradling the child as they drift off to sleep to aid in reestablishing consistent sleep patterns. The authors highlight the significance of adequate rest for optimal attentiveness, which is crucial for the cognitive development and academic advancement of toddlers.

Transitioning from bottle-feeding to a sippy cup is important for dental health and to prevent a lack of sufficient iron.

As a child approaches the one-year mark, the authors recommend transitioning completely to the use of a sippy cup. As infants grow, they naturally adapt to handle a faster flow of milk compared to that dispensed by a bottle. The authors understand that some pre-toddlers might resist moving on from bottle-feeding because they have developed a strong connection to their bottles. They suggest starting to use a sippy cup during one of the daily meals and progressively eliminating the bottle over several days.

Some children may need time to adjust to the taste of whole milk as they move away from consuming formula or breast milk. Ezzo and Bucknam recommend a carefully managed shift in a child's diet from liquid...

On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise Summary Behavioral Management Strategies

It is essential to set up regular patterns and limits to steer the conduct of youngsters in their pre-toddler years.

Ezzo and Bucknam maintain that through the consistent, clear, and empathetic setting of boundaries, one can foster the strong growth of a child and support their natural curiosity without undermining their self-regulation abilities.

Parents should proactively create an environment for their pre-toddler that minimizes distractions and fosters the growth of self-control.

The authors introduce a strategy that harmonizes a pre-toddler's independence with their ability to self-regulate, a concept referred to as the Funnel Factor. Providing children with more freedoms than they can manage often results in confusion and, as a consequence, requires additional disciplinary action. The authors stress the importance of establishing a setting for young ones that encourages discovery and education within clear limits. This forward-thinking approach diminishes the chances of temptation while fostering personal self-control. This could entail employing devices like playpens, highchairs, or specific secure areas such as the sleeping space of a toddler or a safeguarded...

On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise Summary Role of Parents, Especially Fathers

A young child's well-being and development before reaching toddler age are significantly influenced by a father's active involvement and emotional connection.

The active involvement of a father plays a crucial role in shaping the social and emotional growth of a child during their early years, as highlighted by Ezzo and Bucknam. Fathers play a crucial role in the family by actively supporting their partners and fostering an environment of love and respect, which serves as a solid foundation for the family structure.

Fathers play a pivotal role in nurturing their child's emotional well-being through demonstrations of tenderness, affection, and respect.

The book underscores the importance of the tactile bond established by a father as a primary way to convey love and support. Fathers frequently build bonds with their offspring through tactile interactions, verbal exchanges or vocalizations, and by establishing visual connections.

The authors emphasize the significant comfort, love, and security that a child experiences through the physical contact of a father. A child's self-esteem and emotional regulation are positively influenced by regular, loving physical touch,...

On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise Summary Parenting Principles and Approaches

The concept of the "funnel" underscores the need to balance the freedoms afforded to young children with their ability to self-regulate.

Ezzo and Bucknam deem "The Funnel Factor" crucial in understanding how to balance a child's natural inclination towards independence with their capacity for self-control. They emphasize the need to find a middle ground that fosters independence while setting appropriate boundaries cognizant of the child's developmental phase.

Granting pre-toddlers a level of autonomy beyond their capacity can hinder their developmental advancement.

When pre-toddlers experience more freedom than their maturity permits, it often results in a state of developmental bewilderment, necessitating an increased level of parental direction. A child allowed to explore their surroundings without limits might find it challenging to understand the notion of boundaries when their behavior leads to hazardous or troublesome situations.

Ambiguity in boundaries may lead to confusion, which can hinder young children from properly learning and adopting appropriate behavior. Ezzo and Bucknam emphasize that this type of chaos can manifest as defiance, severe outbursts,...

On Becoming Pre-Toddlerwise Summary Regarding the growth phase of children who are about to enter the toddler years.

Instilling proper dental care habits during a child's formative years is crucial for ensuring lifelong oral health.

Ezzo and Bucknam emphasize the importance of ensuring oral hygiene in young children as an integral part of their overall health. Establishing strong habits for dental care early on lays the groundwork for maintaining healthy teeth and ensuring smiles that last a lifetime.

Instilling habits of good oral hygiene from a young age and maintaining consistent visits to the dentist are crucial measures to prevent dental cavities in children.

The authors recommend arranging a child's first dental check-up upon the appearance of the initial tooth or prior to the child turning one year old. Regular dental check-ups for even the youngest children can help evaluate potential risks for cavities and provide parents with guidance on proper toothbrushing techniques as well as dietary choices that promote oral health. They recommend initiating oral hygiene with a toothbrush to maintain cleanliness in the mouth and suggest consulting with a dentist prior to the application of fluoride toothpaste to avoid the risk of excessive ingestion that could negatively impact the...