Toddler Behavior: A Mental Check List for Parents

A toddler behavior checklist?!…Why not? Just as a packing checklist for going on vacation ensures the break starts well, this mental tick list will help ensure you put the most effective parenting skills to use.

Here are six things to remember if you want to deal with toddler discipline issues:

Never forget that the years between 1 and 3 see a remarkable explosion of development: physical coordination, speech and toilet training for starters. This is very stressful and frustrating at times for every toddler. Think back to those times when you tried to cope with your computer when it crashed, when you were learning to drive, or if you have ever attempted to get by in a foreign country where you could not speak the language.

Understand the natural limitations of toddlerhood. Your child does not understand how he feels, and is even less able to express these feelings. It’s no surprise that so many behavior problems diminish as speech develops towards the age of three.

Learn to ignore attention seeking behavior. This might feel like it goes against the grain, but do give it a try. Young children especially crave attention, even the negative variety - so responding to this type of behavior by shouting and getting after your child will only backfire. Ignoring attention seeking behavior won’t be appropriate all the time, but it can be a very effective discipline method.

Give limited choices. At such a young age, kids cannot cope with having to choose from a wide range of options. Instead offer banana or apple, blue or red jumper etc. Your little one will enjoy the feeling of being a big boy or big girl that choosing creates. Many a tantrum has been avoided using this tactic!

Retain your sense of humor because you will need it, no doubt about that! What’s more, showing your toddler that you can laugh at yourself and everyday problems teaches her emotional resilience. Never forget that she looks to you as a role model for how she reacts to unexpected and problematic situations.

Beat resentment by having fun together. Treasure the endless enthusiasm for life that characterises these years. Getting excited by the monumentous event of a tractor sighting or horse galloping past does have a shelf life…it won’t be long before you’re trying to make conversation with a monosyllabic teenager and you will long for the toddler years!

This checklist has merely touched upon some of the qualities of effective parenting. There is a whole spectrum of strategies that you can employ to prevent and reduce problems arising.

For more information, visit toddler behavior. The most important thing to grasp is toddlers’ language limitations – and making sure that you are communicating as effectively as possible.