Family Support
• Try not to hit, spank, or yell at your child.
• Keep rules for your child short and simple.
• Use short time-outs when your child is
behaving poorly.
• Praise your child for good behavior.
• Distract your child with something he likes
during bad behavior.
• Play with and read to your child often.
• Make sure everyone who cares for your child
gives healthy foods, avoids sweets, and uses
the same rules for discipline.
• Make sure places your child stays are safe.
• Think about joining a toddler playgroup or
taking a parenting class.
• Take time for yourself and your partner.
• Keep in contact with family and friends.
Establishing Routines
• Your child should have at least one nap.
Space it to make sure your child is tired for
bed.
• Make the hour before bedtime loving and
calm.
• Have a simple bedtime routine that includes
a book.
• Avoid having your child watch TV and videos,
and never watch anything scary.
• Be aware that fear of strangers is normal and
peaks at this age.
• Respect your child’s fears and have strangers
approach slowly.
• Avoid watching TV during family time.
• Start family traditions such as reading or
going for a walk together.
Feeding Your Child
• Have your child eat during family mealtime.
• Be patient with your child as she learns to
eat without help.
• Encourage your child to feed herself.
• Give 3 meals and 2–3 snacks spaced evenly
over the day to avoid tantrums.
• Make sure caregivers follow the same ideas
and routines for feeding.
• Use a small plate and cup for eating and
drinking.
• Provide healthy foods for meals and snacks.
• Let your child decide what and how much
to eat.
• End the feeding when the child stops eating.
• Avoid small, hard foods that can cause
choking—nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, grapes,
and hard, raw veggies.
Safety
• Have your child’s car safety seat rear-facing
until your child is 2 years of age or until she
reaches the highest weight or height allowed
by the car safety seat’s manufacturer.
• Lock away poisons, medications, and lawn
and cleaning supplies. Call Poison Help
(1-800-222-1222) if your child eats nonfoods.
• Keep small objects, balloons, and plastic
bags away from your child.
• Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs
and guards on windows on the second
floor and higher. Keep furniture away from
windows.
• Lock away knives and scissors.
• Only leave your toddler with a mature adult.
• Near or in water, keep your child close
enough to touch.
• Make sure to empty buckets, pools, and tubs
when done.
• Never have a gun in the home. If you must
have a gun, store it unloaded and locked
with the ammunition locked separately from
the gun.
Finding a Dentist
• Take your child for a first dental visit by
12 months.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice each day.
• With water only, use a soft toothbrush.
• If using a bottle, offer only water.
What to Expect at Your
Child’s 15 Month Visit
We will talk about
• Your child’s speech and feelings
• Getting a good night’s sleep
• Keeping your home safe for your child
• Temper tantrums and discipline
• Caring for your child’s teeth
Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222
Child safety seat inspection:
1-866-SEATCHECK; seatcheck.org
SAFETY
SAFETYESTABLISHING A DENTAL HOME
ESTABLISHING ROUTINES
FEEDING AND APPETITE CHANGES
FAMILY SUPPORT
PAGE 1 OF 1
The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an
exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical
care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances,
may be appropriate. Original document included as part of
Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit. Copyright © 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 8/11. All Rights
Reserved. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not
review or endorse any modifications made to this document
and in no event shall the AAP be liable for any such changes.
Bright Futures Parent Handout
12 Month Visit
Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family.
