Every toddler has moments when they act up, but it’s a consolation when you know your kid will usually behave well. When your kid does something right, honor them for it. Encourage them to learn sound manners and bypass whining or complaining. Be uniform with rules and utilize moments of mischief as teaching opportunities rather than just punishing.
So without further ado, here are some of the best parenting tips for toddlers that you will surely not gonna miss when raising him/her.
Create and follow basic routines
Having a day-to-day routine enables us to feel more relaxed because we know what’s arriving ahead. Even throughout messy times, it’s valuable to establish straightforward routines like standard meal times, waking up, and bedtime. When troubles occur, try to be lax and don’t be too hard on yourself. Go with the flow as much as possible, and seek to return to your routine when things settle down. Always remember, that every new day is a new start.
Teach Patience
Teaching patience is one of the invaluable parenting tips for toddlers. Patient toddlers tend to act less impulsively, think more calmly and are slower to get upset when things don’t happen as they’d like. Just like a muscle, patience grows stronger with practice! One effective method is ‘patience-stretching,’ where you deliberately delay giving your child what they want and commend them for waiting patiently.
Encourage Independence
Assign tasks suitable for their age to help them learn responsibility. Avoid doing tasks for your children that they can manage on their own. Even when you’re out, involve them in simple tasks like assisting with the grocery list or holding items at the store.
Physical Affection Is a Must
Showing physical affection, like hugs, kisses, or high-fives, is a wonderful way to reinforce positive behavior and one of the prominent parenting tips for toddlers. It’s even better when combined with specific praise. Vary your gestures, so it doesn’t feel like your child gets the same hug every time they behave well.
Accept The Child’s Reactions
Children often react strongly when faced with restrictions, sometimes resulting in outbursts. It’s important to anticipate this possibility. Feeling resentful or furious when broken or humiliated is a genuine human response. To support a child’s emotional development, it’s essential not to penalize them for voicing their emotions, which are intrinsic and uncontrollable. Allow them to express their feelings, within appropriate boundaries.
Keep promises
Keeping promises is one of the best parenting tips for toddlers. When you keep your commitments, your toddler learns to rely on and appreciate you. They understand that you mean what you say, whether it’s offering something nice or explaining a consequence. For example, if you promise a walk after they tidy up their toys, be ready to go. If you tell your 3-year-old they’ll have quiet time if they keep throwing dirt, be prepared to enforce it.
Laugh with your Toddler
Sharing laughter, light teasing, or simply having fun with your child can help ease tension and prevent potential conflicts.
Encouraging positive behavior in toddlers may be tough, but it pays off in the end. Offering praise along with clear expectations and achievable goals can help guide them toward good behavior.
