Noise and stimulation in the fresh air are often the best cure for naughtiness. But there are several good reasons to let your child play outdoors.

Your child probably experiments constantly with new sounds and words, including bad words... Children listen and learn, sucking in new things like a sponge. If you want to help their language development even more, read and sing a lot to your baby!

All children are different and so they should be – but a normal bedtime for a child aged two and a half is between seven and eight at night. It's also normal for a child aged two and a half to lie awake for a while in the evening, talking and playing alone, and then to wake between five and six in the morning.

When it comes to young children, you may already have the best toys lying around in your cupboards and drawers. Baking trays, wooden spoons and plastic tools can be treasures to a curious baby. But you need to know that the plastic is free of toxins and that there's no risk of anything being swallowed or resulting in choking – just as with the toys you buy or are given.

When children are about a year and half old, they start testing the boundaries. And their mood can flip from happy to hysterical in a second. This is a natural part of their development, but it can really test a parent's patience.

Almost all children love playing with water, and that's good. Let your child play and experience the water: that's the first step towards wanting to learn to swim. And getting used to the water.

Do you feel like you've read the same story, sung the same song and put teddy on the right side of the pillow a million times? That's good. Kids love it when things are predictable – it makes them feel safe. This is why your child likes it when things are familiar and stay the same as they've always been.

Here some tips on good apps and computer games, board games and party games for kids aged three and above.

Some children have difficulty entertaining themselves and getting going with fun games on their own. And who most wants a young child as a playmate? Well, you, obviously.

There's a school of thought that says we should separate twins, keep them in different classes, or otherwise create distance between them. But no research clearly shows that this approach is better for the children.

At this age, your child needs to move about a lot. They investigate their surroundings with great interest, their motor skills develop and coordination is refined.

Lots of people have loaded feelings and opinions about dummies – even adults who have no connection with your child. Figure out what works for you while focusing on your child's wellbeing.