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Toddler's First Steps: A Best Chance Guide to Parenting Your 6-to-36 Month-Old Child

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Last updated: December 2, 2024

Toddler’s First Steps provides trusted information on how to nurture the healthy development of your child. As your child grows, they will learn and change at an amazing speed. This resource provides guidance on how to support your child as they go through the many stages of toddlerhood and encounter new experiences such as the arrival of a new baby or entering child care. You will also find information on where to find additional resources to support you and your family.

The 2024 editions of Baby’s Best Chance and Toddler’s First Steps are now available and include additional information. Translated versions to come in 2025. Previous translated editions are still available below.

Read Toddler’s First Steps

You can download the complete handbook in English, Chinese and French. To read the guide by topic, see the links below:

Introduction

English | Chinese | French

Toddler development 

Feeding your toddler

Your toddler’s growth, learning and health

Parenting your toddler

Toddler safety

Canada’s Food Guide

See healthy eating recommendations for the whole family. English | Chinese | French

Resources

Find key resources for parents. English | Chinese | French

Print copies

Toddler's First Steps may be available in print in English through your health care provider, or you may be able to find copies at your local library. Translations are available in Chinese and French.

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Child Health Passport

The Child Health Passport helps you plan and keep track of all the routine health services available in British Columbia that can help promote your child’s healthy development. The Passport provides one central place for parents to record their child’s growth, illnesses, injuries, allergies, hospitalizations and vaccinations. There is also information on child safety and where to find other helpful parenting resources. Parents typically receive a Child Health Passport in their birth packs, or they can be obtained through the local public health units as part of immunization services.

English Version (PDF 316 KB)

Baby's Best Chance: Parents' Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care

Baby’s Best Chance is a reference guide to help you through pregnancy, birth and in the parenting of a baby up to six months of age. This guide provides easy-to-read tips on having a healthy pregnancy and giving your baby a good start in life. It also provides you with information on how to take care of your own well-being.

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