Toddlers

Welcome to the time of the trying 2's!

"Trying" because our kids are trying everything new they can get their hands on. "Trying" because it can be an exhausting, confusing time for us as we try to navigate through this year or so of turmoil.

What do we know about toddlers?  Usually, toddlers:

• explore without fear
• are curious about everything
• like to dump things over again and again
• use "no" and "mine"
• become very active
• understand one or two simple instructions at a time
• start to use "pretend" play
• will scribble with crayons
• find their emotions difficult to understand and manage

Toddlers also:

• are easily distracted
• have a short attention span
• often cling to an adult, a blanket, or toy
• are concerned about themselves only
• find it hard to share
• can become easily frustrated
• begin to play beside other children (parallel play)
• may not always be willing to please their parent
• have temper tantrums
• may refuse to eat
• can find it hard to share
• may bite

So knowing all this, we can start to get some explanations for the "trying" behaviour our toddlers may show.  For example:

• temper tantrums are often the result of toddlers learning to manage their emotions.  They also have a limited ability to talk about their feelings.
• hitting and biting is often a result of a toddler's limited ability to understand the pain of others, to solve problems, and/or to talk.  They hit or bite to express their anger, frustration, stress, and confusion, too.
• toddlers say "No" to almost everything because they are learning about their ability to have control over their choices.
• some toddlers resist change because transitions are difficult for them.  They need time and warning when a change is coming up.
• toddlers may get into everything because they have an urge to explore and learn and may not yet understand safety or other limits.

The biggest gift you can give your toddler is patience.  Figuring out these things may be difficult times for both of you, but the more fun you have together, the better you will come through it all.