Get the items you need. Chances are, your Sims already have a crib, but toddlers need to be bathed and fed, as well as entertained. Objects such as a tub, toys, and so forth can help to keep the toddler busy and happy. The changing table is only necessary if you want to plan the toddler's outfit or change their clothes without having to bathe them - dirty diapers can be changed by clicking on the toddler (though the diaper will end up on the floor and need to be cleaned up). Toddler-specific items include certain toys (such as the xylophone, shapes box, and Wobbly Wabbit Head), the plastic training potty, and the high chair.
Take good care of the parent(s). If the toddler's parents constantly have their own needs in the red, they won't be able to take very good care of their child. If there are two parents, consider having them trade off when the toddler needs something so that they all get a chance to fulfill their needs; a single parent will have a trickier time, but can take advantage of things like the high chair and crib to take care of their own needs. Other Sims in the family can help care for the toddler as well. For example, child Sims can interact with the toddler to raise their social needs, and teens can help the toddler learn skills, give them bottles from the fridge, or put them in their crib or high chair. Pets can also raise the toddler's social needs if you have Pets installed.
Keep the toddler's needs up. If any of your toddler's needs drop too low, they will become fussy and cry, and refuse to do anything until that need is met. Make sure there are Sims available who can attend to the toddler's needs, or that the toddler can fulfill those needs. The Hunger and Social needs must be kept high; if they drop into the red, the Social Worker will take the toddler (as well as any other babies, toddlers, or children in the family). If you have Seasons, the toddler's temperature must also be monitored when outside, as an overheated or freezing toddler will also be taken away.
Have Sims teach the toddler skills. Teens or older can help the toddler become more self-sufficient by teaching them toddler-specific skills. These skills include walking, talking, and potty training. After these skills are taught, toddlers are able to do things such as communicate with other Sims or use the toddler potty on their own. Toddlers also tend to want to learn these skills, so it gives them a boost to their aspiration as well. Players with FreeTime can also teach the toddler the Nursery Rhyme if they wish.
Have the toddler use skill-building toys. Toys are good at keeping toddlers entertained, and some of them have educational benefits, so the toddler will gain skills that they can improve on later in their lives. The xylophone raises Creativity skill, the shapes box raises Logic skill, and the Wobbly Wabbit Head raises Charisma skill, so purchase the appropriate toy and direct the toddler to use it (or wait for the toddler to use it autonomously, if you have Free Will on). Adults can join the toddler when they're using these toys. If you have FreeTime installed, the activity table keeps toddlers busy and helps them gain Mechanical and Creativity skill. The table can be used later on when the toddler becomes a child, too.
Fulfill the Wants, and avoid the Fears. Toddlers need to have a high aspiration level to grow up well, and the level can be raised by fulfilling their Wants. Toddlers will usually want to learn toddler-specific skills (for example, learning to walk), or to interact with their family members. Many of these are simple and fairly easy to fulfill.
Keep the toddler busy if you have Free Will on. Toddlers in Sims 2 have a habit of getting into things you may not want them to, such as trying to play in the toilet (which makes puddles on the floor), drinking from spoiled bottles, or eating out of the pet food bowl (if you have Pets). Since toddlers will throw a tantrum if put into their cribs when they aren't tired, busy them with other activities such as teaching them skills or giving them toys. If there are multiple toddlers in the house and Free Will is on, they may take a bottle from another toddler. To avoid this, keep the toddlers busy and feed them around the same time, if possible.
Use aspiration rewards. If your Sims have a lot of Aspiration Points, consider using them to buy the Smart Milk (or even the Thinking Cap). These rewards help the toddler to gain skills faster, provided that the Sim using the Smart Milk maker or Thinking Cap has a gold or platinum aspiration level when using it. (Any lower, and the toddler may actually lose skills.) You can combine the Thinking Cap and Smart Milk effects by having the toddler drink Smart Milk, and then have a Sim with the Thinking Cap teach them skills.
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