I have a 2.5 year old and have been using the techniques described in this book for a year. It has been a great help. I'm amazed every day that techniques I initially thought would work "someday when he's older" work immediately, such as helping him to name his emotion when he starts a tantrum - most of the time I can help him stop within seconds - and brainstorming a list of options to a problem worked even with a 2 year old - he came up with ideas I wouldn't have thought of that were agreeable to both of us. I give this book as a gift at baby showers!