A year ago, did you wonder if you would ever make it to this day? Well, you have, and have taken a tiny helpless newborn to become a constantly moving and exploring person. Get ready! Your baby is about to enter the toddler stage of child development. Some 1-year-old children are cruising around furniture while others are walking. All 1-year-olds get into everything and become more vocal . . . and more assertive! Your child's world is enlarging, bringing new excitement and new challenges to you as a parent. The following comments are designed to help you and your partner enjoy your 12-month-old son or daughter while continuing to gain confidence in yourselves as parents. They are not intended as a substitute for well-baby visits by your newborn's pediatrician. Never hesitate to ask your child's physician for guidance concerning specific problems. This is the reason for regular well-baby checkups.

• Because your one-year-old is mobile, whether crawling, cruising, or walking, it is important to begin putting limits on their behavior. They learn by exploration but need safe limits.
• Praise the toddler for good behavior.
• It is important to teach the child the word "no." Saying "no" in a stern voice with good eye contact is almost always effective in this age group. Some parents have a fear of the word "no." They do not want their child to feel restricted, so they bend the other way and let their youngster run wild without any limits. A child needs guidance for his or her own protection and to learn that others have rights. "No" at the appropriate time is as important for the child's development as is nutrition and love.
• Discipline should be consistent to be effective. To discipline a one year old, use distraction, loving restraint, removal of the object from the toddler or the toddler from the object.
• Discipline does not mean punishment or spanking. If you become angry with your baby, put your little one in his or her crib or playpen for one or two minutes of "time out." This will allow you to calm down and it also allows your baby to realize that he or she has done something wrong. During "time out" the child should not be able to see you or any other family member.
• Encourage play with age-appropriate toys. Children this age love push and pull toys. Develop motor coordination by clapping and dancing to children's music. Encourage your toddler to play alone as well as with playmates, siblings and parents.
• Encourage your child to play alone with supervision and with other toddlers.
• Remember that aggressive behaviors - hitting and biting - are common at this age. How parents respond to this behavior determines if it will continue.
• Despite your child's desire to become independent, you will

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