Toddlers develop strength and coordination by chewing, vocalizing, and talking. If children are not yet talking, encourage them to babble. Take turns making funny sounds. Making funny faces also encourages tots to use their facial muscles. This is a good time for lots of clowning!

Because the muscles in the face, mouth, and throat are poorly developed, even soft food can cause toddlers to choke if they stuff their mouths — and it's a given that sooner or later they will do just that. Taking a first-aid course that teaches abdominal thrusts could be one of the best decisions of your life! Doing them wrong can cause injury.