Behavior

Anxiety & Fears

A child getting a haircut
What to do if your toddler gets hysterical during a haircut
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
My toddler has separation anxiety and won't even let me go to the bathroom without her.
By Nanette Shorten, Psy.D.
mother and baby playing on the grass in the park
How should I deal with my 1-year-old's neediness?
By Penelope Leach, Ph.D.
crying baby consoled by mother
My toddler is hypersensitive and cries all the time. How should I handle this?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
boy crying
Why does my toddler get hysterical when I leave for work?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
A toddler clinging to their mother
Is it normal for my toddler to be shy?
By David Geller, M.D.
baby coming out of a cardboard box
How can I make moving to a new house easier on my toddler?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
A mother and toddler playing outside
What to do if your toddler won't let go of you at the playground
By Marilyn Segal, Ph.D.
girl holding on to mom's leg
Easing your toddler's or preschooler's fears
Reviewed by Jennifer Shu, M.D., FAAP, pediatrician
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Behavior Problems

Two red-haired children on a bed, one whispering a secret, the other surprised.
How to calm your screaming toddler
Reviewed by Shawnté James, M.D., neonatal and pediatric hospitalist
A young girl joyfully throws colorful building blocks in the air while sitting on the floor near a toy slide.
Why do toddlers throw things?
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child crying
Your 15-month-old's behavior: More meltdowns
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
Two young children sitting on a sandy beach, holding hands and facing each other.
Toddler hitting and aggression: How to stop your toddler from hitting
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
smiling boy standing near a tree
7 common toddler behavior issues and how to handle them
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
boy crying and driveling with mouth open
Your 16-month-old's behavior: Letting it all hang out
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child sitting in baby crib and holding wooden slat
Your 22-month-old's behavior: Nighttime disturbances
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
little blonde girl looking mad
Your 14-month-old's behavior: Testing limits -- and your patience
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child with aggression behavior
Your 20-month-old's behavior: Coping with aggression
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
little girl sticking her tongue out
Your 13-month-old's behavior: A stranger among you?
By Dana Sullivan Kilroy
A red toy stegosaurus dinosaur breathing stylized paper flames on a yellow background.
8 temper tantrum hacks every parent needs to know – and why tantrums happen in the first place
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
Little girl screaming as her mom puts on her sweatshirt
The terrible twos are very real. Here's how to cope
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
child crying
Your 17-month-old's behavior: Self-control -- or lack thereof
Reviewed by Dawn Rosenberg, M.D., pediatrician
My baby is always wiggling. Is she uncomfortable?
By Nancy Montgomery
baby crying
Parents say: Stop the whining!
By Dana Dubinsky
child crying while sitting on the grass with his lamb toy
Your 18-month-old's behavior: Tantrum triggers
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
toddler on father's shoulder
Why is my toddler acting like a baby again and what should I do?
By Susanne Ayers Denham, Ph.D.
A young girl with curly hair picks her nose while being held by a woman in a yellow shirt, both looking at each other indoors.
How to respond when your toddler says no to everything
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
A toddler in a diaper with a blanket on their head
Is it normal that my toddler loves to be naked?
By Marcella Gates
happy child with her teddy bear running outside
Your 23-month-old's behavior: High spirits
By Dana Sullivan Kilroy
A toddler running across a couch
What to do if your toddler just won't sit still
By Judith Hudson, Ph.D.
How can I get my spirited toddler to go to bed and end these bedtime battles?
By Jhoanna Wade
child wearing magician's hat
Your 21-month-old's behavior: Positive discipline tactics
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
Your 19-month-old's behavior: Raising a well-behaved child
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
toddler with painted symbols on its face holding a crayon in the hand
How to handle your spirited toddler
Reviewed by Lisa Dana, M.D.
A woman dressing a toddler
My toddler refuses to get dressed in the morning. What should I do?
By Patricia Henderson Shimm, M.A.
Is it normal that my toddler is acting like a baby again?
By Nancy Montgomery
child walking in a meadow
Running away
woman talkinggo to video page
What should I do if my child hits or bites?
Reviewed by Lee Atkinson-McEvoy, M.D., pediatrician
woman talkinggo to video page
How I handle tantrums
child in a dress crying
Your 24-month-old's behavior: Back talk
By Dana Sullivan Kilroy
child crying
What to do when your toddler throws a tantrum in public
By Nancy Montgomery
Kayla O'Neill looking at the camerago to video page
How to handle toddler tantrums
Reviewed by Kayla O'Neill, developmental therapist
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Latest in behavior

Kayla O'Neill talking close to the camera, holding a scarfgo to video page
How to avoid a winter wardrobe meltdown
Reviewed by Kayla O'Neill, developmental therapist
Kayla O'Neill looking at the camerago to video page
How to handle toddler tantrums
Reviewed by Kayla O'Neill, developmental therapist
A red toy stegosaurus dinosaur breathing stylized paper flames on a yellow background.
8 temper tantrum hacks every parent needs to know – and why tantrums happen in the first place
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
A young girl with crossed arms looks upset while an adult gently touches her shoulder indoors.
What to do when your toddler just isn't listening to you
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
girl picking her nose
7 weird toddler habits (and why they're actually normal)
By Dana Dubinsky
A young girl with curly hair picks her nose while being held by a woman in a yellow shirt, both looking at each other indoors.
How to respond when your toddler says no to everything
Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D., pediatrician
Little girl screaming as her mom puts on her sweatshirt
The terrible twos are very real. Here's how to cope
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist
smiling boy standing near a tree
7 common toddler behavior issues and how to handle them
Reviewed by Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., developmental psychologist

Community

  • Toddlers
    Toddler behavior resources
    By Stephanie9195
    My toddler is 18 months and starting a few weeks back, he started throwing tantrums all the time. I know this is a toddler thing, it just shocked me how quickly it came on and I thought I would be better at addressing it. I feel like we spend the day with him yelling at me and it's exhausting. Does
    06-05-26 by Auts32
    Number of comments4
    no reactions
    0
  • August 2023 Birth Club
    Behavior resources
    By MamaDoubleS
    Any good books or podcasts regarding teaching toddler disciple / behavior ? Thanks !
    03-14-25 by Andersinn
    Number of comments1
    no reactions
    0
  • June 2023 Birth Club
    Crossing fingers
    By EVS7
    Toddler recently (and randomly) started crossing his fingers(🤞🏼). Anyone noticing this type of behavior on their little ones?
    05-01-25 by Mb2Ms
    Number of comments1
    no reactions
    0
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