Even though I am trained as an early childhood and elementary educator, when I came home for the first time with my newborn baby girl, I still felt unprepared.   So, I searched the Internet, visited the library, attended parenting classes through our church, and asked for advice from other moms in order to find ideas for just about everything - from feeding to playtime to discipline to health issues.  I'm still asking questions and finding new ideas, but I thought it might be helpful to share what I have found to be beneficial for our family, so far, with other parents of infants and toddlers.  Enjoy!

Engaging Story Books for Infants and Toddlers Resource Books for Developmentally Appropriate Play and Learning Experiences Websites Containing Information and Ideas for Parents of Infants and Toddlers Resources that Have Particularly Helped Our Christian Family

Engaging Story Books for Infants and Toddlers

These are all children's story books that my daughter has enjoyed. She loves books with animal sounds, flaps that open, rhymes, and short repetitious phrases.  She enjoys turning the pages and babbling along as though she were reading the book herself!

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton
Clap your Hands by David Ellwand
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo: A Farmyard Counting Book by Steve Lavis
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book by Karen Katz
Fiddle-I-Fee by Jakki Wood
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Moo, Baa, LA LA LA by Sandra Boynton
Peek-A-Boo! by Jan Omerod
Peek a Moo by Marie Torres Cimarusti
Sleepy Animals: My Good Night Bible Doorknob Book by Susan Lingo
Teddy Bear Teddy Bear by Michael Hague
Ten in the Bed by David Ellwand
Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth
Who Said Moo? by Harriet Ziefert
What Shall We Do With The Boo Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Karen Katz
 

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Resource Books for Developmentally Appropriate Play and Learning Experiences

Creative Resources for Infants and Toddlers by Judy Herr and Terri Swim, Delmar Publisher:1999.  (ISBN 0766803376)

First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos by MaryAnn F. Kohl, Gryphon House: 2002.  (ISBN 0876592221)

Games to Play with Babies by Jackie Silberg, Gryphon House: 1993.   (ISBN 0876591624)

The New Language of Toys: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with Special Needs by Sue Schwartz and Joan Heller, Woodbine House: 1996.  (ISBN 0933149735)

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready: The How To Book That Grows With Your Child by June R. Oberlander, Xulon Press  (ISBN 159160236X)

Story Stretchers for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos: Experiences, Activities, and Games for Popular Children's Books
by Shirley C. Raines, Karen Miller, Leah Curry-Rood, Gryphon House: 2002.  (ISBN 0876592744)

The Toddler's Busy Book by by Trish Kuffner, Meadowbrook: 1999    (ISBN 0671317741)
 

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Sites Containing Information and Ideas for Parents of Infants and Toddlers

Ages and Stages of One to Four Year Olds - How toddlers to preschoolers grow, play, talk, and advance in doing more things for themselves as they pass through developmental stages

Articles from Pre K Smarties - Various

Benefits of Infant Sign Language - An Article about infants using sign language to help with early communication

Birthday Party Ideas - Ideas for preparing and celebrating your child's first birthday with a theme

Dealing With Toddlers - Exploring, Eating, "No", Toilet Training, etc.

Food Pyramid Guide for 2 -6 Year Olds - Food Guide with printable weekly chart

Infant Safety Checklist - falls, choking, safety procedures for each room of your house

National Network for Childcare Articles - Fact Sheets and articles on the development of toddlers, discipline, weaning, toilet training, etc.

Parenting the First Year - Timely newsletters from birth - 12 months

Playdates - General tips for parents, some pitfalls, and training your child to be a good host (Preschool +)

Preparing Your Child For a Sibling - Some tips and possible reactions from various ages of children

Zero to One Newsletters - Informative newsletters about infants published by Iowa State University   Additional newsletters are also available here offering a wide range of information for parents of infants to teens. Most are free.

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Resources that Have Particularly Helped Our Christian Family

The Complete Book of Baby and Child Care: From Pre Birth Through the Teen Years by The Focus on the Family Physicians Resource Council, Tyndale House Publishers: 1997.  (ISBN 0842335129)

Preparation For Parenting: Bringing Order to Your Baby's Day and Restful Sleep to Your Baby's Night by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo. Growing Families International: 1998.  (ISBN 1883035090)

Preparation For the Toddler Years: 5-15 Months by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo, Growing Families International: 1994.  (ISBN 1883035198)

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp, Shepherd Press: 1995.  (ISBN 1879737191)

Sign With Your Baby: How To Communicate Before Infants Can Speak by Joseph Garcia, Sign2Me: 2001.   (ISBN 0966836774)

What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martin, Growing Families International: 1998.  (ISBN   1883035538)

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