THE HAPPIEST TODDLER ON THE BLOCK

Rather than being little people, toddlers are "little Neanderthals," whose primitive self-focus and Stone Age impulsiveness require particular parenting responses. Children aged 1 to 4, the author says, can’t teach themselves to become self-directed, socialized people. They need limits that are communicated in a way that may sound coarse but is actually appropriate to the toddler’s developmental level. The focus is on the overactive toddler, but there are thoughtful suggestions about soothing the anxious or insecure toddler as well. Johnny Heller’s excellent narration makes the somewhat mechanical-sounding advice sound reasonable. Success simply requires dealing with the toddler’s operating style with responses he or she understands. A well-organized and loving parenting audio. T.W. 2005 Audie Award Winner © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]