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Why do two year olds get so cross?
Has your child reached the “terrible twos” that everyone talks about? Are you finding it exhausting and a bit of a puzzle? What ever happened to the smiling toddler who has now become so hard to please? Actually it is a good sign which shows how your child’s abilities and interests are growing. Now your child wants to do more independently and they want to do it now! So what will help you both to make the most of this busy year of early development? Here are 5 top tips to help you take your child’s second year in your stride. 1) Be Prepared
Your child wants to see, touch and try everything; learning by doing is part of your two year olds growing capacity to learn. Your child needs to do this, so meet them half way by child proofing your home and keeping the precious or dangerous stuff out of reach. Everything is interesting not just toys so let them join in with what you do sometimes. 2) Little and Often
Two year olds have a small attention span and mostly want to explore. Be prepared for the “Tip and Run” where the cupboard is emptied and riffled through then abandoned in the middle of the floor. Child proof anything you don’t want accessed and make a play/ rummage box available. Don’t expect anything to be played with for long. When you visit friends take a play basket with goodies to explore. 3) Let me do it
Two year olds want to try for themselves but will get stuck and need a willing helper to encourage and support so they can get a result. See yourself as a helper rather than a teacher because at this age they so don’t want to be told. You will have more fun together when you join in, but let your child take the lead. Instead of taking over, try the 3 W’s wait, Watch and Wonder. For the first two let your child get involved with something and see what help he needs from you. The wonder part is deciding how you can support without taking over. 4) Avoiding Tantrums
Toddlers feel things very strongly and don’t have the language yet to calm themselves down. Prevention is better than cure. Avoid frustrations where possible and if things start to go wrong divert their attention. There are 3 tactics which work: distraction, distraction and distraction. That short attention span comes in handy, as two year olds easily shift onto something new if you are quick enough and make it exciting. 5) Enjoy it while it lasts
Remember that this stage is all about getting to know the world and two year olds can’t sit back and wait for the world to come to them. It won’t be long now before the new words they are learning everyday will help them to think and settle with toys for longer. Remember that every day they are learning more and more and growing in confidence. Soon the world will be more predictable and less frustrating and those tantrums will fade away. Jeni Hooper is a Child Psychologist and Parent Coach at Happy2Learn |
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Happy2Learn
Happy2learn: creating a good childhood
www.happy2learn.co.uk
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