| | | | | respond to being told not to touch, you can make |
| Toddler's can be delightful but they can also be | | | | things easier for yourself by `child proofing` certain |
| extremely demanding and hard work. Toddlers | | | | areas, so that you can relax and let children explore in |
| behavior makes them feel and do lots of different | | | | safety. |
| illogical actions, Example: not want to be apart from | | | | From early on, children want to become independent |
| their carers, want attention, are egocentric, active, | | | | and do things themselves. They learn by repetitive |
| impulsive and messy, constantly interrupt and show | | | | experiments, so your two year old child may enjoy |
| little respect, are stubborn and change their minds | | | | knocking things off their high chair repetitively and |
| frequently, are sensitive to upset, excitement and | | | | watching you pick them up each time, for your child |
| tension, ask endless questions and may demoralise | | | | this is a lesson in cause and effect and helps them to |
| their parents but behave like angels for other people. | | | | learn to think logically, this is not naughtiness, but normal |
| | | | | exploration. Even so you may understandably find this |
| It is important to remember that this is also an exciting | | | | kind of thing irritating and parents vary as to how much |
| phase, as children develop physically, learn to think | | | | of these activities they can tolerate. |
| more logically and become more confident socially. | | | | |
| They increasingly explore their surroundings, and learn | | | | It is perfectly appropriate for you to set limits so that |
| though observation and interactions with their | | | | your child learns that their behavior is not tolerated in |
| environment, social interactions and play. For this to | | | | certain setting. You can set aside special times and |
| happen, children of this age need plenty of stimulation | | | | places for this game, and distract the child into some |
| such as: | | | | other activity when you have had enough. |
| | | | | |
| Books and toys appropriate for their age; these need | | | | Understanding |
| not be expensive –pots, pans and spoons can be | | | | |
| much more exciting to a two year old than a designer | | | | Children need to have things explained to them at their |
| toy. | | | | own level of toddlers behavior understanding and |
| A wide range of social contact with people of all ages, | | | | therefore it is important to check that any task that |
| with the space, support and encouragement to | | | | you set for your child is manageable and appropriate |
| develop mutually rewarding relationships. | | | | to the stage of development that they are at currently |
| Exposure to new and interesting opportunities and | | | | and that they understand what you expect of them. |
| experiences at a pace that they can cope with: | | | | Often what appears to be disobediences is simple |
| contact with animals, music, water, nature, painting, | | | | misunderstanding. Repeating the same command |
| parties etc. | | | | louder won't work in this situation, You need to try |
| | | | | another approach. |
| Play, reality and fantasy. | | | | |
| | | | | Young children usually think you mean exactly what |
| Children learn through play- it is the medium through | | | | you say, if you were to lose your temper and make |
| which they develop socially, physically and | | | | and idle threat to send them to a children's home for |
| academically, by the age of three years, they should | | | | example they will remember it and believe it , even if |
| have a fully developed sense of `make believe `. | | | | you have no such intentions! Similarly young children |
| | | | | may not have a clear understanding of the difference |
| This is how they learn to exercise their imagination and | | | | between right and wrong so, although it is appropriate |
| creativity as well as to understand day-to-day and | | | | to teach them this , shouting and punishing them for |
| potentially traumatic experiences, such as going to the | | | | bad behavior , without clear explanation , will only |
| doctors or moving house. Pretend play lets them be | | | | bewilder and upset them . |
| the `boss` and regain control in a world where they | | | | |
| usually have relatively little control, helping them cope | | | | Clinginess |
| with stressful situations in theirtoddlers behavior . | | | | |
| | | | | Most toddlers behavior in a clingy way, They are not |
| Parents who try to play with their children often | | | | being this way to irritate you, but are showing you how |
| unwittingly take over and set all the rules ,sometimes | | | | much they love and need you. Behaving in this way |
| insisting that the game be played according to `reality` | | | | actually makes good sense as toddlers need constant |
| principles , However, such principles may be unrealistic | | | | supervision while exploring their environment because |
| for a young child , and most children quickly get | | | | they don't know what is safe and what is not. You |
| demoralised and give up in this situation , if you can | | | | have to watch their every move constantly to prevent |
| support your child's play through observation , attention | | | | accidents. They should become less clingy by the time |
| and praise , without taking over , giving advice or | | | | they start nursery, as they learn to distinguish for |
| competing , they will take great pride in showing you | | | | themselves what is and what is not safe. |
| how clever they are . This will not only encourage | | | | |
| them to learn but will build their self-esteem and | | | | Children may become attached to cuddly toys or soft |
| enhance their relationship with you. If, you can help your | | | | blanket, using them as comforters when the person |
| child have more control over their fantasy world, your | | | | they love is not present. From the child's point of view, |
| child will be more cooperative and compliant with you | | | | these objects are as individual and unique as people , |
| in the real world. | | | | so if they have a tantrum about losing an old worn out |
| | | | | toy, offering to buy a new one will not be the same , if |
| The ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy | | | | the toy can't be found , you will need to comfort your |
| develops with age intoddlers behavior; Young children | | | | child over the loss, rather than simply telling them not to |
| may have difficulty remembering which parts really | | | | be silly . |
| happened and which was part of the game. Similarly | | | | |
| many three year olds may have an imaginary friend. | | | | It is normal for toddlers to be fearful of new situations |
| | | | | but excessive clinginess may be related to you being |
| When your child is playing, you don't have to be | | | | temporarily physically or emotionally unavailable to your |
| involved closely all the time, Although they will thrive on | | | | child, for instance, because of hospitalisation, long |
| your undivided attention, they will also benefit from | | | | working hours or depression, they maybe worried that |
| supportive comments while you work alongside them. | | | | you may have abandon them and may become more |
| Children want you to observe their progress and | | | | clingy as a result, if so shouting at them for behaving |
| achievements. Your words can be very powerful in | | | | this away will only make matters worse. You are |
| either direction, so it pays to stop and think about what | | | | more likely to get results if you work on your |
| you say and your tone of voice before you speak | | | | relationship with your child, reassuring them that you |
| praise goes a long way in building and developing a | | | | love them and will not abandon them, and arrange for |
| positive relationship and willing child. | | | | them to spend more time in the care of a trusted |
| | | | | friend or relative. Giving them regular one to one time |
| Exploration and experimentation | | | | will help, even if brief, for example, a quick story before |
| | | | | bedtime. |
| Toddlers need plenty of stimulation so that they can | | | | |
| learn and develop. Even if they have many exciting | | | | So sensitive parenting is a key to developing your |
| toys, their curiosity will draw them to less safe areas, | | | | toddlers behavior as you can have a close and trusting |
| such as inside cupboards, lose wires and interesting | | | | relationship is which you have a huge amount of |
| looking bottles. This is not naughtiness but curiosity, | | | | power and influence as a parent that can help create |
| especially if it is not made clear to them what is | | | | resilience in your child whatever your current situation. |
| allowed and what is not. Very young children will not | | | | |