Toddler Techniques!
1. When your toddler is whining…..repeat a few short phrases three to six times using your voice and gestures to let them know that you understand what they want and how badly they want it.
2. Don’t expect too much too soon…..use tangible rewards like a sticker chart with a few simple every day tasks that your toddler can be successful with. “Up the expectation” when they’ve been routinely achieving these tasks! Celebrate their success by having a “graduation” with a diploma or metal when starting a new chart!
3. If you want fewer “time-outs”, you have to give more “time-ins”. Toddlers need lots of hugs, pats, smiles and bits of focused attention many times throughout the day. Let your toddler have little victories during good times, and you’ll see less bad times!
4. Validate your child’s feelings by stating that you hear them or repeating back the emotions they’ve shared. “I hear you are mad. Let’s take a break and figure this out.” When children don’t feel heard, they will resist your attempts to redirect even more!
