Guides for birth to five
61 short guides. Each one covers a single moment: what's going on for your child, words you can say, and links to the research.
Newborn (0–3 months)
Baby (4–8 months)
- Pause 30 Seconds Before Resettling Naps4–5 months · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Let Fullness Cues Lead at Mealtime4–8 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Nudge Toys Closer Instead of Handing Them Over5–6 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Respect the Head-Turn When Starting Solids6–7 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Keep Two Bites on the Tray to Curb Dropping7–8 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
Older baby (9–14 months)
- Narrate When You Leave the Room8–9 months · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Always Give a Confident 10-Second Goodbye9–15 months · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Name Whatever Your Baby Points To9–10 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Redirect Curious Hands Instead of Slapping11–12 months · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Open Grabbing Hands Gently & Model Soft Touch12–13 months · Boundaries & Tantrums
- End Bedtime Stalling with a 2-Minute Check-In12 months to 3½ years · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Use Quiet Crib Rest During the 1-Nap Shift13–14 months · Sleep & Daily Transitions
Young toddler (15–24 months)
- Give Toddlers a Child-Sized Cloth to Help14–15 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Block the Hit, Name the Feeling15 months to 2½ years · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Hold Up Two Visible Options to Prevent Meltdowns15–16 months · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Stay Within Arm's Reach to Block Reactive Biting16–17 months · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Protect Their Turn When They Shout 'Mine!'18 months · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- End Screens at Story Breaks, Not Mid-Scene18 months to 5 years · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Catch the Hand Calmly, Name the Frustration19–20 months · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Serve One 'Safe Food' With Zero Pressure20–21 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Use 'Long Turns' Instead of Forced Sharing21 months to 5 years · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Use Action Warnings Instead of '5 More Minutes'21–22 months · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Give a Climbing Job to Stop Car-Seat Battles22–23 months · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Do Half the Step So They Can Finish It23 months to 2 years · Autonomy & Montessori Play
Toddler (2–3 years)
- Redirect Indoor Throwing to Soft Targetsage 2 · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Skip Logic Lectures When They're Hungryages 2–2½ · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Offer Two Choices Instead of Direct Ordersages 2½–3 · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Turn 'Put On Your Shoes' Into Two Choicesage 2½ · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Drop All Pressure During Potty Learningage 2½ · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Use a Bedtime Pass for Curtain Callsage 2½ · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Fill Their Cup With 10 Minutes of Special Timeage 2½ · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Replace Dropped Naps With Quiet Audio Restage 2½ · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Validate Nighttime Fears Without Confirming Monstersage 3 · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Name 'Disappointment' Underneath the Angerage 3 · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Coach Waiting Kids to Ask for the Next Turnage 3 · Boundaries & Tantrums
Preschooler (3–5 years)
- Answer 'Why?' Chains With 'What Do You Think?'age 3 · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Keep Preschool Drop-Off Rituals Under 30 Secondsage 3 · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Praise the Effort, Not 'Being Smart'ages 3–5 · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Describe Their Artwork Instead of Grading Itages 3–3½ · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Teach the Silent 'Hand-on-Wrist' Waiting Signalage 3½ · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Normalize Mistakes When Drawings Go Crookedage 3½ · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Don't Ask Trap Questions When You Know the Truthage 3½ · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Never Force Hugs—Offer a Wave or High-Fiveage 3½ · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Let Your Child Press the Off Button After TVages 3½–4 · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Point Out Faces to Build Sibling Empathyage 4 · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Coach Direct Play Wishes Instead of Exclusionage 4 · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Keep Reactions Boring for Bathroom Humorage 4 · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Grant the Wish in Fantasy When They Say 'Not Fair!'age 4 · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Teach Action Repair Instead of Forced 'Sorrys'ages 4–4½ · Attachment & Co-Regulation
- Give a 'Heavy Work' Job in Crowded Storesage 4½ · Sleep & Daily Transitions
- Model Calm Self-Talk When You Make a Mistakeage 4½ · Language & Emotion Coaching
- Let a Picture Chart Be the Boss of Morningsage 4½ · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Practice the 'Good Game' High-Five After Losingage 4½ · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Practice 'Stop, I Don't Like That' With a Palm Upages 4½–5 · Boundaries & Tantrums
- Invite Bored Preschoolers Into Real Kitchen Workage 5 · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Prioritize Self-Regulation Over Flashcard Drillsage 5 · Autonomy & Montessori Play
- Anchor Bedtime in Repair and Family Gratitudeage 5 · Attachment & Co-Regulation