When a baby starts to walk, he unofficially becomes a toddler. When most people speak of toddlerhood, they are referring to children between 1 and 3 years of age. Toddlers often make major changes, especially in regards to locomotion, thinking and talking. One-year-olds master walking and mobility, while 2-year-olds work on expanding their vocabulary. Toddlers learn to master their bodies and progress from walking to climbing and running. They learn names of body parts and are constantly refining their fine- and gross-motor skills. They become more independent and imitative. Children reach milestones based on their own timetables, but there are averages of when to expect new developments.

Most parents take every precaution to ensure their children are safe in appropriate car seats when traveling by car. But what about when traveling by plane? The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that all children under 40 pounds use an FAA approved child restraint system (CRS) when flying. According to the FAA, children less than 20 pounds should sit in a rear-facing CRS and children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds should sit in a forward-facing CRS. Toddlers must sit in a forward-facing car seat---not a booster seat. The majority of booster seats use a lap and shoulder belt for proper positioning and these belts are only found in cars, not airplanes. If you're traveling with a toddler, make sure the seat fits the height and weight of your child and that it's FAA approved. Seats will not say "FAA Approved" on them, but will say something like, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Here are some popular FAA approved toddler car seats.

From age one to three, toddlers learn many things and acquire countless skills. Although some toddlers begin to recognize letters of the alphabet and count to 10, these concepts are typically mastered in the preschool years. The educational milestones achieved during the toddler years provide a foundation for future learning and quickly mastering Kindergarten readiness skills.

According to Dr. Robyn Fivush of the Emory University, most children develop their first memory of detailed events between the ages of two and four. Since vacations are often very memorable events, in general, these vacation ideas for toddlers may develop into your child's first memory. The perfect vacation also doubles as a unique learning experience for the whole family.

Providing daily physical activity for your toddler is an important part of helping him meet development milestones. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education says toddlers should be involved in structured physical activities for at least 30 minutes daily and that this activity can be spread throughout the day. By playing the following games and activities with him, you will be encouraging his motor skills and creating memories together.

A visit to Walt Disney World with a toddler can be a wonderful experience. Many toddlers love the sights and magic of Walt Disney World. Parents enjoy watching their toddlers faces as they see Cinderella's castle for the first time and hug Mickey Mouse. With some careful thought and planning, you and your toddler can enjoy your Walt Disney World vacation.

Understanding how a child's brain develops and what you can do to foster that development is important for all parents. While we can't control the nature part of a child's development, we can provide a nurturing environment to enhance what's already been established.

Once toddlers start to walk and talk, many parents want to provide quality educational toys for them. While there are many toys on the market designed to teach the alphabet and numbers, many of these toys are geared towards preschoolers instead of toddlers. Toddlers can learn a lot about their world and language through a variety of educational toys, such as blocks and books. By selecting the right type of educational toys for your toddler, you can help your child to learn and grow.

With the holidays approaching and travel looming, packing is a time consuming task for anyone. Adding a toddler to the packing checklist makes the task more challenging. Toddlers do not require as much special equipment as babies, but there are still considerations when packing for a toddler. Start packing early and carefully to ensure all of the essential items for your toddler make it into the suitcase.

Keeping a little girl's hair tidy and neat can be a challenge for any parent. Finding the right hairstyle for your toddler girl depends upon her hair type, temperament, and simply how much hair she has. While we all have mental images of little girls adorned with bows and ribbons, the reality often involves jam in the hair and pigtails pulled out as soon as they're put in place. Try these simple toddler girl's hairstyles to tackle those bad-hair days.