Toddler This Week: 17 Months, Week 1

By now your toddler may be able to climb up a set of stairs, turn around at the top and sit, then scoot her way back down. Some more cautious toddlers may like climbing up the stairs but will call for help to get back down. Sign your child up for a toddler gymnastics class at the local Y or community center where she can climb and tumble over soft play structures without getting hurt. Or make your own play area at home by stacking pillows on top of a mattress or futon on the floor to make a pint-size climbing course.

Your child's growing independence is asserting itself in numerous ways: He may be able to take off his own socks or diaper (undressing fully will come later, and putting clothes on, quite a bit after that) and brush his own teeth (though "brushing" at this age pretty much means sticking the toothbrush in his mouth and chewing on it, so he continues to need your help). Could toilet training be on the horizon? If potty training your child on the early side sounds appealing, take a look at this unusual method: Potty training in three days or less. It's designed for children as young as 15 months – although, of course, every child is different and no single method will work for everyone. Even if you decide it's too early to begin now, the method is described in detail and it'll give you food for thought. Kids change so fast that what seems impossible now may be perfect for your family in a few months.

New talkers are often hard to understand. In fact, you and your partner might be the only people who can decipher what your child is trying to say. Lisping and mixing regular words with babbling phrases isn't unusual at 17 months. As your child's tongue and mouth muscles develop, enunciation should improve. Help him out by repeating what he says. This models correct pronunciation and helps out Grandma and other frustrated listeners. With time and patience, kids almost always outgrow this situation.

-BabyCenter.com