Kiddipedia
Understanding these aspects of toddlerhood can help parents navigate this challenging yet rewarding stage of development with confidence and patience.
6 things to know about toddlers
- Exploration is Key: Toddlers are like little scientists, it is in their nature to be inquisitive and curious, constantly exploring their surroundings. They use all their senses to learn about the world, so providing them with safe opportunities for exploration is crucial for their development.
- Language Development: Toddlers are rapidly expanding their vocabulary and language skills. Encourage communication by talking to them, reading books together, and singing. Responding to their attempts to communicate teaches them about the return and serve of conversation.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Toddlers experience a wide range of emotions which are usually felt in a BIG way. They show affection (hugs) and can’t express what’s set them off when they’re having an emotional outburst. They have limited ability to regulate themselves. Tantrums and meltdowns are common as they struggle to communicate their needs and frustrations. Patience and empathy are essential in supporting them through these emotional moments.
- Independence and Autonomy: Toddlers are asserting their independence and desire for autonomy. They want to do things by themselves, even if they’re not yet capable. Encourage their independence by offering choices and opportunities for them to practice new skills with supervision, let them pick their clothes and dress themselves (if developmentally capable). Their desire for independence can be very challenging for children and parents alike and can lead to emotional outbursts.
- Routine and Consistency: Toddlers thrive on routine and consistency. Establishing predictable daily routines helps them feel secure and understand what to expect and enables them to develop a sense of mastery over their day. Consistent boundaries and expectations also provide a sense of security and help them learn acceptable behaviour.
- Safety First: Toddlers are adventurous but lack awareness of danger. Childproofing your home is essential to prevent accidents. Always supervise them, especially around water, stairs, and other potential hazards. Additionally, teaching them basic safety rules, such as not touching hot objects or running into the street, is crucial for their well-being. Offer information using basic language and explanations with as fewer words as possible.
Hi, I’m Faith Hobson—a devoted mother of two boys, Child Health Nurse, Certified Sleep Consultant Informed Trauma Coach, Conscious Parent Coaching, Mindfulness and Meditation teacher.
Through the culmination of my experiences, I’ve given rise to Parenting Revolution Coaching—an innovative and highly effective approach aimed at assisting parents in nurturing happy, healthy, and thriving children from birth to teenagers and all the challenges in between.
