One of the most valuable and fun times in life for parents and children alike are the wee ages of being a toddler.

You watch your little one absorbing life like a sponge. They are walking and seem to be touching everything. They learn by hands on experience. So this is a busy time for mommy and daddy.

Between ages two and three children learn traits they will carry with them throughout life. They learn what is good and what is bad. They are given their first boundaries. They are molded into little people as they learn to potty train and be polite in public.

At the same time they are sticking their fingers up their noses and swallowing anything in sight that they can get hold of.

Picking up something to look at and getting bored or scared easily... they end up tossing everything across the room.

You will find so much humor and frustration at the same time as you watch them play and learn. Preschool is really important to little tykes at this age.

Most communities have a "Mommy and Me" programs or "Early Intervention" classrooms now, where parents can take their children and allow them to interact with other kids their own age.

Following the developmental growth chart is always a good idea for first time parents. It allows you a look into what is age appropriate behavior for your child at this point in life. These charts are available at your pediatrician's office and at your local library.

There are also wonderful books out to help you learn to win the battles of boundaries and temper tantrums. Your child is learning who is boss. If he or she is allowed to misbehave without boundaries and time outs, they will think they are in control.

This is another area where you will see parents giving in to a child who cries or screams, until they get what they want. So it is difficult but parents have to be strong and let them cry or remove them from the store if they are causing a disruption.

Better to be a strong willed parent than a strong willed child. It is all in good parenting. You are your child's best lesson in life. They will learn what they live. So have fun and enjoy the early years of your toddlers growth plan.