The mother of a child who is 2 year 6 months in age has arranged a play date with the neighbor and her child who is 2 year 9 months old. During the play date the two mothers should expect that the children will do which of the following?

At this age, parallel play is common, where children engage in independent play near each other but do not actively interact or engage in cooperative play. They may observe each other, imitate each other's actions, or occasionally share toys, but they are still developing social skills and may not engage in sustained cooperative play or easily share and trade toys. Each child is likely to focus on their own activities and play with one or two preferred items, ignoring most of the other toys.

A.Toddlers experience slowed growth compared to infancy, leading to a natural decrease in appetite (physiologic anorexia). Instead of increasing caloric intake, parents should be encouraged to offer nutrient-dense foods in small, frequent meals and avoid pressuring the child to eat.

B.Tantrums are common in toddlers as they begin to assert independence but struggle with emotional regulation. Parents should use strategies such as remaining calm, setting clear limits, offering choices when appropriate, and using positive reinforcement to help manage tantrums effectively.

C.Establishing trust is a key developmental task of infancy (Erikson’s trust vs. mistrust stage). In toddlerhood (autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage), the focus is on developing independence, so guidance should focus on setting boundaries, providing choices, and allowing safe exploration rather than trust-building alone.

D.Cooperative play is typically aimed at older preschoolers and not toddlers, who are still developing social skills and tend to engage in parallel play rather than cooperative play.

E.Early dental hygiene is crucial for preventing cavities and establishing good oral health habits. Parents should begin brushing their toddler's teeth with a soft toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and schedule the first dental visit by 12 months of age or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption.