Books on Raising Aggressive Toddlers

Child Development Textbooks

• Textbooks such as "Child Development," by Laura E. Berk, published by Pearson in March 2012, can help parents understand child behavior at various ages. Such books explain the age range for certain types of development, such as walking, talking and a desire for autonomy. They also delineate realistic expectations for behaviors such as sharing or correctly following directions. Knowing the average developmental milestones can help you understand your child's behavior, which can relieve pressure for both you and your child.

Developmental Guidebooks

• Louise Bates Ames has written a series of books that deal with each age level of development starting at age 1 and extending through age 14. The books are readable, even funny in places, and are calculated to answer new parent questions, and even experienced parent questions, at each developmental level. In her book, "Your Two-Year-Old: Terrible or Tender," she notes that even 2 months can make a big difference in the way your toddler approaches life, adding that life can be very confusing and frustrating for a 2-year-old.

Children Who are More

• Toddlers and even older children are not all the same. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka writes that some children are simply "more." That is to say they are more sensitive, more imaginative, more angry, more assertive. Living with such a child can be trying for parents and for other children in the household, to say nothing of teachers, babysitters and childcare workers who must deal with these determined little people. She points out that "more" can also be more tender, more loving and more emotionally involved in life, and gives practical advice for dealing with such youngsters.

Child Rearing Practices

• Sometimes it is your style of parenting that isn't working with a particular child. No two children are the same, so the methods that worked with older brothers or sisters might not be effective with this particular toddler. Books like "Your Defiant Child," by Russell A. Barkley or "Raising Children Compassionately: Parenting the Nonviolent Communication Way," by Marshall B. Rosenberg can provide ideas for new ways to approach old problems such as getting everyone out the door on time in the morning or keeping everyone safe.