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Turning away during the tantrum is an appropriate strategy that avoids reinforcing the behavior with attention. It sets a clear boundary without escalating the situation.

Offering positive reinforcement after the tantrum when the child is calm supports desired behavior. Praising appropriate behavior helps toddlers learn self-regulation.

Providing comfort after the tantrum is over shows empathy without reinforcing the tantrum itself. It supports emotional security and helps the child transition back to calm.

Referring to medicine or vitamins as "candy" is unsafe. It can confuse the child and increase the risk of accidental overdose by encouraging them to seek it out unsupervised.

Leaving the vitamin bottle accessible and allowing a toddler to take it independently is unsafe. Toddlers lack impulse control and may ingest more than the intended amount if unsupervised.

Keeping the bottle on the refrigerator may delay access but doesn’t ensure security. Warning a toddler not to climb may not be effective at this age due to limited understanding of consequences.

Slapping the child’s hand is not appropriate and can instill shame or fear around natural curiosity and bodily autonomy. It also teaches aggression as a response.

Using time-out for normal developmental behavior is unnecessary and can send a confusing message. It’s better to redirect gently and consistently.

Laughing and affirming the pleasure may unintentionally encourage continued public behavior without establishing boundaries about privacy.

Eating everything with fingers and using a bottle is more typical of a younger toddler, around 12 months. By 18 months, children are often transitioning away from bottles and beginning to use utensils and sippy cups.

Using a spoon with minimal spillage and drinking from a regular cup with 2 hands is more appropriate for a 2- to 3-year-old. While some 18-month-olds may attempt open cups, they usually need close supervision and will spill more frequently.

Using a fork and drinks with 1 hand and no spillage reflects skills of a preschooler (3–4 years). An 18-month-old does not yet have the fine motor coordination for consistently using a fork or single-handed cup drinking without spilling.

While it may interfere with care, labeling it as problematic overlooks the developmental appropriateness of the behavior. Understanding its origin helps guide appropriate responses.

Although hospitalization can intensify behaviors, the resistance itself is not only due to being out of routine, it is typical at this age, regardless of setting.

Oppositional defiant disorder is a clinical diagnosis requiring persistent and pervasive patterns beyond what is expected for age. This toddler’s behavior is consistent with age-appropriate development, not a disorder.

A developmental evaluation may be premature unless there are multiple delays or red flags (e.g., no babbling, no response to name). The described speech pattern is within normal limits for this age.

Reading aloud is beneficial and encouraged, but implying that the mother hasn’t done enough may feel blaming. It’s not the sole factor in speech development.

Speech therapy is not warranted unless there is a persistent delay past 18 months or additional concerns. The toddler's current expressive skills are developmentally appropriate.

Restraining the child is unnecessary unless safety is at risk. Physical restraint can escalate the behavior and damage trust.

Punishment is not developmentally appropriate for typical tantrums. It may increase frustration and doesn’t teach emotional regulation.

Promising a reward reinforces the tantrum by teaching the child that acting out leads to a positive outcome, encouraging future tantrums.

Routine calcium level screening is not indicated during a standard well-child visit unless there is a specific medical concern, such as rickets or a metabolic disorder.

Mercury testing is only done if there is known exposure, such as from contaminated fish or environmental sources. It is not part of routine screening in toddlers.

Fluoride is important for dental health, but its levels are not typically measured in blood. Instead, fluoride exposure is assessed through water source and dental hygiene practices.

Picking the toddler up abruptly can provoke fear and resistance. Separation from the caregiver without preparation undermines trust.

Rushing through tasks may startle or upset the toddler and reduce cooperation. Building rapport and using child-friendly techniques are more effective.

Asking permission gives a toddler the power to say "no," which they often will. It’s better to give limited choices such as “Do you want me to check your arm or leg first?” rather than open-ended questions.

Grounding the child from the playground for 7 days is too abstract and delayed for a toddler to connect the consequence to the behavior. Toddlers need immediate and brief discipline for it to be effective.

Spanking the child on her buttocks is physical punishment is not recommended for children of any age. It models aggression, can damage trust, and has been shown to have negative long-term outcomes.

Throwing sand in the child’s face is an abusive and harmful response that mirrors the misbehavior, confuses the child, and teaches retaliation instead of empathy or self-control.

Buying a potty seat and putting it into the bathroom next to the toilet reflects a developmentally appropriate introduction to toilet training. Passive exposure and casual use are common and acceptable at 2½ years old.

Placing the child in his playroom and having him play by himself with his toys while making dinner indicates the parent is taking appropriate safety measures to prevent burns, a leading injury risk for toddlers.

Converting Johnny’s crib into a toddler bed because he climbed out of the crib twice last week is a safe and recommended response to prevent falls once a toddler begins climbing out of the crib, usually between 18 months and 3 years.

While infant scales are commonly used up to 24 months, the choice depends on the child’s ability, not just age. If the toddler can stand, a standing scale is suitable.

While parental input is helpful, clinical decisions about methods should be based on the child's developmental abilities, not preference alone.

The subtraction method is typically used when a child cannot stand or cooperate, such as in very young infants or medically fragile children, and is not needed here.

20% to 25% is too low for toddlers, whose brains still require fat for myelination and development.

50% fat is excessive and may contribute to unhealthy weight gain and nutrient imbalances.

10% to 20% is more appropriate for older children and adults, not toddlers who are still in rapid growth stages.