It's no secret that more and more Americans are becoming overweight or obese each year. The problem, however, isn't just for adults; obesity in children two to five years old has been growing steadily. Today, 12.4% of kids in this age group are considered obese, which is defined as body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
More

It seems like fruit juice and juice drinks would be healthy for your growing toddler, but did you know you can give him too much of a good thing? Fruit juice tastes good and is often packaged so it's easy to carry around, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says excess juice can contribute to dental caries and diarrhea. Toddlers one to six years old should be limited to four to six ounces per day as part of a meal or snack rather than sipping throughout the day.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics: "The Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics," PEDIATRICS, Vol. 107 No. 5 May 2001, pp. 1210-1213 (a statement of reaffirmation for this policy was published on February 1, 2007)

It’s normal for toddlers to resist sharing, but you can help your little one see the benefits. Teach her games or puzzles where everyone works together toward a common goal. Encourage taking turns so she learns sharing isn’t the same as giving things away. Before play dates, put away toys she’d rather not share and bring out those they can play with together. Set an example by offering to share your snack or magazine. Use positive reinforcement rather than punishment to avoid feelings of resentment. Eventually, she’ll learn sharing is more fun than keeping things to herself.

Source: “How to Teach Your Preschooler to Share,” by Karen Miles, www.parentcenter.babycenter.com, accessed August 13, 2007