One of the frequent challenges in the toddler years is the tot’s effort to gain self-control. It’s important for parents to understand that the beginning of the toddler years is still the formation stage of their self-control. This means that when they’re still about 2 to 3 years, you may have a challenging time of keeping them from something you forbid them to do.
The bigger comfort for you, parents, is that this is just a NORMAL stage. Your kid is not misbehaving at all. With more patience from you, they can outgrow this phase smoothly. As a provider of Quality Care for Children in Garner, North Carolina, we would like to impart these helpful tips on how you can nurture your toddler’s self-control abilities:
- Put yourself in their shoes
It’s important to recognize that being a toddler is not as easy as adults think. Just imagine the many things you want them to do but they didn’t want to. You don’t want to be forced on to something too, do you? So it is with them. The better option for you to do is validating their feelings about what you forbid them to. This way, they can see the first steps in managing their emotions.
- Play relevant self-control games
Games can be helpful to teach them self-control. One example is the “freeze dance”, wherein you play music and the toddler will dance to the beat. When you stop the music, they will also stop moving. This fun exercise can show them that some things, such as their emotions, can really be controlled.
- Identify what’s difficult for your kid to adjust
When you know what is that one moment that makes it so hard for your toddler to overcome their emotions, you will be able to set a plan to address it. For instance, if your toddler is scheduled to take a nap every after lunch, you will be wise to set outdoor trips at a later time so you won’t risk traveling with a wailing passenger.
- Establish limits that have natural consequences
For instance, if they keep on playing with their food, you can tell them that you will not serve their favorite drink for the day. Be firm in these regulations as your toddler is set to test you. But when you have prevailed, you will be rewarded with a compliant child.
- Listen to yourself
You are your kid’s model. They can follow your cue with how you handle your emotions. Ensure that when you’re establishing these limits, you’re in stable emotions to set a good example.
This area of self-control training can also be supported in Child Care Centres in Garner. At Little Believer’s Academy, you have a team of child care providers who will back you up in nurturing a self-controlled kid. So when you need to entrust your child to a Day Care Center in Garner, NC, don’t hesitate to keep in touch with us.
Feel free to share this post with a fellow parent who’s braving the toddler years. You can do it!
