Ideas for Parenting Toddlers

1.       Listen to your child. Repeat what they say to you so you know what they say. It may seem complicated to understand your child at first, but practice makes it easier. Repeating their words back helps them to communicate better with you.

2.       When a traumatic event takes place (big or little), start the process with storytelling. Try what I saw was … and when you did this, tell me what happened…New bedtimes, changing day care, changing teachers…

3.       Consider talking to your child about planning and choosing. Can you think of another way to say that more politely?

4.       Play What would you do games? If it rains today, what would you do if you can’t go outside?

5.       Add an activity after a meltdown. Try to keep it up with a balloon or bubbles,  toss a ball back and forth while you talk about the reason for the meltdown.

6.       Memory games are great. Remember what happened when you went to the park? Tell me about it.

 

Connection is the superpower for parenting. Connecting with your child doesn’t take much time; it simply takes intentional time. Riding home from daycare is a great way to connect. Ask your child about the day? Sing a song they have learned in daycare. Ask them to teach you a song they learned.

 

Talking with a child about your values, such as why you can’t stop at the store every day, or what it means to be polite, gives your child a sense of internal guidance that he will carry for life.