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Your Baby & Toddler's Development

As your baby grows, they will reach certain developmental milestones. You can monitor and promote your child's growth and development through healthy feeding, regular medical visits and active play.

Postpartum & Newborn

Your Guide to Postpartum Health & Caring for Your Baby | Health Canada. This guide covers a wide range of topics related to postpartum recovery, newborn care, and your emotional well-being during this important transition.  

Some babies may go through a stage—known as the period of purple crying—where crying seems intense, and hard to soothe. This phase typically begins around two weeks of age and subsides by three to four months, though the peak is around two months. 

PURPLE is an acronym describing what parents can expect during this time:  

  • Peak 

  • Unexpected 

  • Resists soothing 

  • Painlike face 

  • Long-lasting 

  • Evening crying. 

 
Shaken Baby Syndrome  

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a serious and preventable condition that can happen when a baby is shaken out of frustration or anger. Shaking a baby—even for a few seconds—can cause brain damage, blindness, seizures, or even death. No child, at any age, should ever be shaken.  

Did You Know?

The PURPLE Crying program was developed to help parents understand that this crying is normal and temporary—and that walking away to stay calm is a safe, loving choice. A few minutes to breathe, regroup, or call a support person can make a big difference. 

Learn more:  

  • Colic & Crying | Canadian Pediatric Society. Helpful tips and reassurance for parents supporting a crying baby.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome | National Centre on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Preventing infant injury and educating caregivers.
  • The Period of Purple Crying | London Health Sciences Centre. Educate parents and caregivers about the normal infant crying. 

Tummy time helps your baby gain strength and can prevent the development of flattened head syndrome. Some additional benefits of tummy time include:

  • Helping your baby develop head control
  • Strengthening the upper body (back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands)
  • Developing gross motor skills like crawling, sitting and rolling
  • Developing fine motor skills and play skills
  • Promoting sensory development by changing the environment

Learn More: 

Baby & Toddler Development

Your toddler’s brain develops rapidly through every day loving interactions. Simple moments—talking, playing, responding—build lifelong learning and emotional health. 

How to Support Brain Development 

You can support healthy brain development by: 

  • Talking, singing, and playing often—your voice and attention matter most.
  • Responding to their cues with smiles, eye contact, and gentle words.
  • Mirroring actions like clapping or facial expressions.
  • Limiting screen time—real-life interaction is best for brain growth.
  • Creating calm, engaging routines that include time to explore and rest. 

Did You Know? 

Your toddler’s brain forms over a million new connections every second during the early years—just from loving back-and-forth moments. 

Learn More 

Serve and Return | Alberta Family Wellness Initiative. Short video explaining how simple responses build your child’s brain. 

Being active helps your toddler grow strong, feel happy, and sleep better. It also builds skills they will use for life. Physical activity supports healthy development in the early years. It helps children learn, grow, and feel their best—physically and emotionally. 

Why It Matters 

Physical activity helps toddlers by: 

  • Building strong muscles and bones.
  • Improving balance and movement.
  • Learning to share and play with others.
  • Boosting confidence and self-esteem.
  • Getting better sleep.
  • Supporting their mental health. 

Tips for Active Play 

You can encourage your child to be active by: 

  • Letting them run, jump, crawl, and climb.
  • Dancing to music together.
  • Going for short walks and exploring. 
  • Playing with balls, push toys, or ride-on toys.
  • Keeping screens off during active time. 

Did You Know? 

You are your child’s biggest role model for physical activity. When they see you moving, playing, or enjoying active time, they are more likely to join in and stay active too. It is recommended that toddlers be active for at least three hours every day—it can be broken up into small chunks of fun. 

Learn More 

Reading with your toddler strengthens brain connections, builds vocabulary, and supports emotional development. It is not just about books—it is about bonding. 

Make Reading Fun and Meaningful 

You can make reading fun and meaningful by: 

  • Repeating favourite books—toddlers love predictability.
  • Use fun voices and facial expressions.
  • Ask open-ended questions to spark curiosity.
  • Sing, rhyme, and tell stories throughout the day.
  • Make reading part of your routine—even a few minutes each day makes a difference. 

Local Tip 

Libraries in Huron and Perth County offer free story times, crafts, and reading challenges. A great place to meet other families and spark a love of reading. 

Learn More 

Toddler Behaviour & Emotions

Discipline is not about punishment—it is about helping toddlers learn what’s expected, manage big feelings, and feel secure. Using connection, clear routines, and gentle guidance, you can shape your child’s behaviour while building trust. 

Positive Discipline  

  • You can consider positive discipline approaches such as:
  • Setting simple rules and follow consistent daily routines.
  • Seeing the world through your toddler’s eyes—they are still learning!
  • Offering choices to give them some control: “Would you like the red cup or the blue one?”
  • Modelling calm behaviour—how you respond teaches them how to cope.
  • Praising positive actions: “You shared your toy! That was kind.”
  • Staying close during upset moments - be present, not strict.
  • Fostering independence - safely let them try things with your support.
  • Avoiding physical punishment - gentle guidance works better long-term. 

Did You Know?  

Toddlers can follow simple rules when they feel safe and connected. Yelling or isolating a child can backfire—calm support is more effective. 

Learn More  

When children feel loved and safe, they can handle stress better and grow up healthy and strong. Resilience means your child can bounce back from hard times like loss, illness, or family struggles. 

Resilience helps your child: 

  • Manage big feelings.
  • Make friends and build trust.
  • Do well in school.
  • Grow into a happy and healthy adult. 

How You Can Help Build Resilience: 

  • Spend time together—play, read, bike, or cook.
  • Let them try new things with your support.
  • Give small jobs—like helping with snacks.
  • Teach calming tools—deep breaths, music, or art.
  • Connect with other families and neighbours.
  • Show how you take care of yourself.
  • Learn about trauma and healing. 

Learn More 

Strong, loving relationships in early childhood help your child feel safe, build trust, and grow up with healthy emotions. 

When your child feels close to you, it helps them: 

  • Stay calm and handle big feelings.
  • Make friends and build strong relationships.
  • Learn and grow with confidence.
  • Bounce back after hard times. 

Ways to Build a Strong Bond 

You can strengthen the bond with your child by: 

  • Comforting your child when they cry or feel upset.
  • Playing together every day—have fun and laugh!
  • Making eye contact and give big hugs.
  • Talking about feelings using simple words.
  • Saying “I’m sorry” after a hard moment.
  • Working together with your partner or support person.
  • Thinking about how your own childhood affects your parenting. 

Local Tip 

Programs like Circle of Security can help you connect with your child in new ways. Reach out to your local Early ON provider to find out more about when a Circle of Security program is offered near you. 

Learn More: 

Every child is different. Toddlers are still learning how to talk about feelings and follow rules. Challenging behaviour is part of growing up. 

What’s Normal at Each Age? 

At one to two years old you can help your child to start learning emotions and independence by being aware that they are starting to: 

  • Understand simple words and directions.
  • Feel basic emotions like happiness, sadness, or anger.
  • Be independent and do things on their own. 

At two to three years old you can help your child to start learning words and identity by being aware that they are starting to: 

  • Speak more words but still needing help following rules.
  • Say “no” and wanting to make choices (like what to wear).
  • Have big feelings or tantrums
  • Need routines.
  • Listen best when you talk calmly, face-to-face. 

Guidance for Parents 

You can support your child through these phases by: 

  • Repeating and showing the same behaviour often—kids learn by watching.
  • Keeping daily routines—this helps toddlers feel safe.
  • Naming their feelings: “You’re mad. That’s okay.”
  • Asking for parenting support in your community from your healthcare provider. 

Learn More 

Contact Us

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca