Manners play a huge part in social behaviour for it shows how well bred an individual is. Teaching children manners should begin once they are able to talk. Here is a guide about kids and manners to help you out.

Saying Please and Thank You

Every time your toddler is asking for something, he should say “Please.”. When he receives something, he should say “Thank you.”. If your toddler forgets, have him repeat his request and remind him he forgot to say “Please.” or “Thank you.”. Explain to your toddler that saying these two magic words show respect and gratitude. In addition, if he is thanked, teach him to say “You are welcome.”.

Greeting People

Teach your little one to greet a visitor to your home to make the guest feel welcome . He does not have to shake the visitor’s hand. Teach your toddler to say “hi”, “hello”, “good morning”, “good afternoon” or “good evening” even if he is shy around people. Furthermore, when your toddler is visiting someone else’s home, say, your relative’s house, have your toddler acknowledge each member of the household.

Waiting For His Turn

Toddlers, being inquisitive and impatient beings have trouble waiting for their turn. Tell him that when somebody is speaking, he should listen and wait quietly until the person is done talking before he opens his mouth. Explain to him that it is difficult to understand what people are trying to say when they all speak at the same time. When it is his turn to speak, give him your full attention to reinforce the positive behaviour. Teach your toddler to say “excuse me” if he has to interfere in someone’s conversation. The same goes when waiting in line for his turn.

No Name Calling

Children, by nature, love to tease. However, there is a fine line between teasing and bullying. Teach your little one not to make fun of others by giving them offensive nicknames. Tell him that it will hurt the person. Instead, ask your toddler to talk to the person and explain what is bothering him.

Asking Permission

Encourage your toddler to ask permission before doing something, especially if he is unsure of the outcome. This will save him from trouble. Also, teach him to knock on closed doors before entering and seeking consent before using someone else’s things.

Sportsmanship

Teach your toddler not to be a sore loser. Toddlers can be competitive and losing can make them feel frustrated. If your toddler loses, teach him to congratulate the winner, not to sulk or get mad. If he wins, tell him not to show off.

Showing Respect

If your toddler dislikes something or someone, teach him to keep his negative opinions to himself. Teach him to respect differences (race, religion or culture).

Lending A Hand

Train your toddler not to slam the door but to hold the door open for someone else, especially elders before he goes in. Teach him to always lend a hand (e.g. helping you carry groceries, helping dad wash the car, doing household chores, etc.).

Table Manners

Teach him to wash his hands before and after eating, how to use utensils properly, chew his food before talking, sip soup quietly, not to play with his food, keep elbows off the table, say excuse before getting up and put his dishes in the sink.

Remember, a toddler with good manners is loved by everyone and will go far in life. So start instilling proper etiquette in your toddler as early as possible.

It is normal for toddlers to be always on the go. However, having a toddler who cannot sit still can be a problem. Read on for effective tips on how to deal with this toddler behaviour.

Provide An Outlet

A high spirited toddler craves action and movement every now and then. The best way to exhaust some of this energy is to provide him with various physical activities throughout the day. Long walks around the park, playing sports and games like “tag” “catch the ball” or “Follow the Leader”, jumping through hoops and building an indoor obstacle course are great outlets.

Establish A Routine

It is important for toddlers with infinite energy to have a structured routine. The times for naps, meals, bathing, reading, playing and sleeping should be kept on a regular schedule. If it is time for dinner and your toddler puts up a fuss because he still wants to play, do not give in. You have to be firm and consistent. Otherwise, your toddler will think he can get away with anything.

Set Limits

Toddlers thrive on consistency, so when you set limits, be clear and confident in enforcing them even if your little one throws a tantrum or when he starts to make that “side smile” you cannot resist. Always maintain discipline that is firm. But, do not give physical punishments as this will only show your toddler that being aggressive is an acceptable behaviour. Withholding privileges (e.g. no video games or playing in the playground) or putting him on time out are effective ways to discipline children.

Reduce Screen Time

Think television calms your high energy toddler? The answer is no. Too much screen time can overstimulate a toddler especially when he is exposed to action and violence. Limit your toddler’s screen time to 2 hours per day – including TV, video and computer use.

Watch Your Toddler’s Diet

What foods does your toddler eat? If he likes to munch on candies, chocolates and drink iced tea and soda, no wonder he is jumpy. Decrease your child’s sugar and caffeine intake. Never offer them on an empty stomach.

Teach Your Toddler How To Entertain Himself

Encourage “alone time”. Provide a special spot for your toddler where he can do quiet activities such as painting, drawing, reading, building blocks or work on a wooden puzzle. This teaches him how to sit still. When your toddler knows how to keep himself busy, he will be less squirmy and be able to calm down when you need him to.

Schedule Downtime

Cap a day spent playing by doing something soothing together. Give your toddler a warm bath. Give him a glass of warm milk. Read him a book. Talk about your day. Cuddle. Play soft music in the background and dim down the lights in his room. This will soothe your toddler’s senses so he can sleep easily and soundly.

Keeping up with a high energy toddler can be draining. But, controlling him is not the answer. The tips given above will help you calm your little one while still stimulating his curiosity and imagination.

Bullying in children is very common. Sure, kids are just being kids. But, what happens if your toddler is the perpetrator? What can you do to help your toddler get back on the right track?

Talk It Out

The first thing you should do is to acknowledge the problem. If you ignore the misbehaviour, your child will think bullying is okay. Talk to your toddler in a non-threatening manner. Tell him you are aware of the bullying. Ask him why he is doing it. Maybe he is afraid, sad, unsure of himself or wants power and bullying is his defense mechanism. Inform him that you are not going to tolerate the behaviour and that he has to be corrected.

Listen

When communicating with your toddler, make sure you really listen to what he has to say. Doing this assures your little one that he can tell you anything without being judged, allowing a two-way conversation to transpire. An open line of communication is the best way to handle this kind of situation.

Ask Questions

If in case your toddler does not handle straight talks well, try asking him questions. Why is he doing it? Does he have friends that bully other children? Is there something he does not like in the other child? Then, let him see his actions in a different way. Put him in someone else’s shoes by asking, “How would you feel if you were the one being bullied?”. This will get him thinking of his actions.

Discipline

Set limits with your toddler. Explain to him that until he learns to respect others, he will have to stay in his room for 15 minutes every day and that television, video games and his favorite sweets will not be a part of his life. Make sure you are consistent in your efforts to help your toddler fully understand the concept of consequences.

Teach Positive Behaviours

Teach your toddler how to be kind and sympathetic to others. Maybe he does not understand how his behaviour is affecting the bullied child. Give your toddler a pet so he can take care of it. Read books or watch videos together about children who bully. Enroll him in a class that can nurture his talent while encouraging camaraderie and teamwork. Hold a play date for a few hours in your home. This way, you can observe how he is around his peers and correct any misbehaviour at once.

Do Not Belittle

Never turn the tables and mock, insult or ridicule your toddler just to show him what a bullied child feels like. This will only boost the behaviour because he is also being bullied at home.

Reduce Violence At Home

Avoid exposing your toddler to violence. Monitor the TV shows your little one is watching. Pick age-appropriate computer and video games. Make sure you guide him if he does watch or play violent shows and games. Also, take a look at your behaviour. Do you react aggressively when angry? If you do, then lecturing your toddler on bullying will be useless if he sees you or other family members display destructive behaviours.

Stopping your toddler from bullying is a process. But if you give time, patience, lots of effort and attention on your child as well as the environment he is growing up in, you can help your toddler turn things around.

Thumb sucking is common in children. It is their way to comfort and calm themselves when they are anxious, bored, scared, sick, tired or adjusting to new circumstances. However, it can cause negative effects especially if it continues for a long period of time. Below are some tips that can help you stop your toddler’s thumb sucking habit.

Talk About It

If you nag your little one to stop sucking his thumb, the more he will continue. A better and more effective technique is to talk about it. Be casual. Bring it up during playtime, mealtime or before bedtime. Explain to your toddler that thumb sucking can cause problems. Tell him that when he is ready to stop, you will be there to lend a hand. Eventually, he will come to you and tell you he wants to quit the behaviour.

Give Gentle Reminders

Though it may be frustrating to see your toddler sucking his thumb, avoid yelling or scolding your toddler as this will only cause more stress, make him anxious and upset which will lead to more thumb sucking. Instead, remind him by saying something like “Do you know you are sucking your thumb right now?”.

Offer A Substitute

Give your toddler something to do whenever he is tempted to suck his thumb. You can give a rubber ball, pillow or stuffed toy to squeeze if he is stressed, finger puppets to play with when he is bored or some papers and crayons so he can redirect his anger to something more productive.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Put smiley faces or stickers on the calendar for each day he does not suck his thumb. At the end of a set period of time, say every week, 2 weeks or a month, offer a reward such as a trip to the park, extended story time, a toy or dinner at his favorite restaurant. Do not forget to say  words of praise as well. Doing this will make him feel good and more motivated to continue to stop the behaviour.

Use Products Designed To Stop Thumb Sucking

There are two popular products that can help stop thumb sucking - Thumbsters, made from breathable and comfortable Lycra and ThumbGuard, a soft, adjustable, non-toxic and FDA approved cylinder. These devices can be worn on your little one’s thumb to remind him not to suck. Placing Thum Liquid (a doctor-approved, nasty tasting product) on his thumb can also keep your toddler from wanting to suck. You may also wrap his thumb with colorful bandages before he sleeps to lessen nighttime sucking.

Wait It Out

If all else fails, just let it go. Do not worry too much. Just keep in mind that this is a transitory phase in his development and that in a year or two, your toddler will stop sucking his thumb.

Finally, remember that the most important thing you can do to help break your toddler’s thumb sucking habit is to pay more attention to your toddler, be encouraging and supportive.

Tattling is telling or whining about the actions of a person. This behaviour is very common to children. Dealing with tattling can be very frustrating. So how can parents handle this behaviour problem in children? Here are some simple techniques you can try.

Know The Reason

Before you scold your toddler for tattling, find out the reason why he is doing it. Children have a lot of energy and they expend some of that by talking and most often, they tattle not because they mean to harm others but rather, they are confused of the things going on around them.

Teach Your Toddler How To Cope In Other Ways

Teach your toddler how to make decisions and resolve certain problems on his own through reporting. This way, he feels assured that he can handle things by himself. Practice role playing with your little one by giving him examples of tattling and reporting and have him identify the difference between tattling and reporting. Explain to your toddler that if someone is in danger, he should report to an adult. If someone is annoying him, he should talk to the child who is bugging him and if he wants to tattle about something that is not really a problem, it would be best to keep quiet and report it to himself.

Sympathize

Start by saying “I know you are frustrated…” or “It is normal to feel that way…”. Let your tattling toddler fully state his apprehensions and listen carefully so you can figure out the real reason behind his tattling. Understanding from an adult, especially from parents can boost a toddler’s self-control, which makes the child less likely to tattle and try solving the problem in a violent manner.

Ignore It

If your little one tattles for no significant reason, it would be best to ignore him. So the next time your toddler comes running to you informing you how his baby brother stuck his tongue out at him, just tell him that you will talk about it later or make him draw a detailed picture of what happened. Chances are, this will become very tiresome for your toddler and he will soon realize that the time and effort he exerts in giving you a blow-by-blow report is worthless.

Be Firm

Never join an argument as this is your tattling toddler’s way to ask for your help. This will only reinforce the behaviour by helping him achieve what he wants and you also risk disciplining the other toddler unfairly.

Bond With Your Toddler

Sometimes, tattling may be a result of your toddler’s need for attention. Spend a lot of one-on-one time with your little one. You can read him stories, do arts and crafts, play board games, cook together or go to the park.

Tattling is a normal part of development for children. But, by coming up with ways to help redirect this behaviour into something more fruitful, your toddler’s tattling ways will be considerably reduced.

Aggressive behaviour is part of your toddler’s development. While this is normal and short-lived, it is important that you let your toddler know this behaviour is undesirable. Here are some tips on how to deal with behaviour problems in children.

Discipline Consistently

Children thrive when there is consistency. As much as possible, point out your toddler’s wrong doings and respond the way you usually do. Your predictable reactions produce a pattern your toddler will recognize and come to expect. Do not discipline your little one differently in public, no matter how embarrassed you may be with his behaviour. Use your usual discipline style. If he bites his sibling while you are out grocery shopping, just say “Okay, you bit your sister again. You know biting is not good, it hurts people. You do not want to hurt others, don’t you?”.

Explain

Your toddler does not know what you know, so explain why throwing things and screaming is not good, why you are mad, how it affects people and why you need to reprimand him. Introduce a new behaviour. If he is angry because his playmate pushed him, teach your little one a more effective way to express that anger through words. For example, he can say “You are making me mad.” or “Stop pushing me, you are hurting me.”.

Use Consequences

Your toddler can understand the concept of cause and effect so the next time your toddler fights with another tot, remove him so he cannot play. If he throws his favorite stuffed toy in the midst of his outburst, let him see the broken toy and do not buy him a new one. This way, he will realize that throwing a fit only produces negative outcomes.

Give A Time-out

If your toddler becomes too unruly, use the time-out method. When the unacceptable behaviour occurs, tell him that he is not being good and warn him that you will put him in time-out if he will not stop. If he continues to misbehave, take him to his time-out area and leave him there for five minutes (but stay within earshot). This quiet moment gives your toddler a chance to cool down and think about his actions.

Talk It Out

When the time-out is over, talk to your toddler. Ask your toddler what he did wrong and why you gave him a time-out. Allow him to talk and explain why he behaved that way and listen to him. This way, he will not feel he is a very bad person. Follow it up by saying he will go to time-out again if he continues such behaviour.

Ignore It

Oftentimes, toddlers push the limits of their parents because they want attention. The next time your toddler misbehaves, ignore him. Eventually, he will realize that you will not give in to his demands and sooner or later, he will stop behaving badly.

Reward Good Behaviour

Each time your toddler does something good, praise him. Do not just focus on his bad behaviour. Give him a kiss, hug, high five or a pat on the back. Tell him he did a great job for not screaming at others. Reward your toddler by cooking his favorite food, buying him a toy or letting him play outside longer. The positive attention will make your toddler more eager to behave well.

Correct your toddler’s misbehaviours as soon as you notice them. All it takes is a little time, effort and patience to keep your child from spinning out of control.

Self-esteem is important especially to toddlers since it can make or break their development. It is not something that can be learned overtime but rather an outcome of repeated achievements. Here are a few simple strategies in building self-esteem in toddlers.

Be An Example

Be your toddler’s role model and set a positive example. Children, by nature, love emulating their parents. So if you are too critical of yourself, pessimistic and unsure of your talents and skills, your toddler might eventually mirror you. Foster your own self-esteem and he will have a great model.

Give Unconditional Love

Toddlers are smart and conscious of their surroundings so make an effort to express how much you love your toddler at all times. Shower him with hugs and kisses. Always tell him how much you love him. If he makes a mistake, make it clear that it is his behaviour and not him that is unacceptable. Instead of telling him he is a bad boy, explain to him why that certain action is offensive and how it hurts other people.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Encouragement is the best way to promote self-esteem. Praise your little one for a job well done. Even if it is as trivial as fixing his own bed, give your toddler a sincere praise like “You did a great job making your own bed. You made me happy.”. When you see him trying or making an effort after he failed at something, tell him you are proud of him and that he can do it. Little things like this increase your toddler’s sense of worth.

Be honest and do it often but do not overdo it. It may inflate his ego and make him feel superior than everyone else which can lead to bigger problems.

Teach Your Toddler How To Handle Criticism

Criticism can break confidence. Help your toddler understand that criticism is a part of life and that while it can help him become a better individual, it should never damage his own concept of himself. Help your toddler put things in perspective. For instance, if he failed in a math quiz, do not punish him and say “You are really slow in Math. You are a bad student.” His ego has already been bruised and he is ashamed, adding his suffering will only make him feel bad. Give a constructive response like “You are a good student. You have high grades in other subjects. You just need to spend more time practicing your Math lessons. We will work on it together.”

Be Consistent

Consistency is important to toddlers. When you make rules, make sure you stand by them. If you tell him to put his dirty clothes in the hamper, do not say it is okay to pile them on the floor. You should never give in to your toddler’s whims especially if he is having a tantrum. This will only make him think that if he cry or yell, he will get what he want.

Listen

If your toddler needs to talk or show you something, stop whatever you are doing and listen. Giving him your undivided attention shows you care and that you value what he has to say. By doing this, you help him validate his emotions which will make expressing easier for him.

Expose

Feed your toddler’s curiosity. For it is only with direct exposure he can learn, experience and gain confidence. Allow your toddler to try various sports, hobbies and activities he enjoys. If he is interested in soccer and singing, enroll him in a soccer and voice class. Accomplishment builds self-confidence, and self-confidence builds self-esteem.

Make Room For Mistakes

Mistakes are valuable life lessons. So if your toddler stains his shirt because he was playing in the dining table, gently ask what he might differently do next time. Likewise, if you commit a mistake, laugh and admit it. Once your toddler sees you acknowledge and recover from the error, it will be easier for him to accept his own shortcomings.

Children need to establish self-esteem from the very beginning. Thus, it is very important for parents to be patient and show their full support so children can mature into bright, happy individuals with a can-do attitude.

Toddlers develop some sort of fear at one point or another. This is a totally normal part of childhood. But, parents can help ease fear in toddlers more conveniently with a few easy steps. Here is how to do it.

Helping Toddlers Cope With Fears

Know The Reason

What is your toddler afraid of? Darkness? Monsters? Strangers? Crowded places? Doctors? Spiders? No matter how shallow they may seem, recognizing what your toddler’s fears are is an essential step to helping him overcome them. Maybe he is afraid of the dark because he cannot see anything or he is scared of strangers because he feels overwhelmed with their presence.

Do Not Brush Them Off

Do not just laugh and tell your toddler he is silly. Never downplay your toddler’s fears. Instead, take them seriously. Do not make fun or ignore his fears. Reassure your little one that you understand how he feels and that he can always come to you each time he is scared. Remember, the degree of support you give to your child gives him security that it is okay to be afraid and once he understands that, he can properly deal with his fears.

Explain and Expose

The unknown is the root of fear. Your toddler may be scared of the doctor because of the white coat the doctor is wearing or the long needle the doctor uses when giving him shots. Explain to your toddler that the doctor is making sure he is okay. The doctor only checks him up to make sure he is strong and that by sitting still it will be all over before he knows it.

However, reasoning might not completely erase his fears so demonstration is necessary. Buy a storybook about a doctor so you can read it to him during story time. Or, you can show him a picture of a doctor and a little boy smiling. Pretend play also works. Buy him a doctor play set and take turns being the doctor and patient. Eventually, he will be able to realize that there is nothing he should be afraid of and he might even be excited for his incoming monthly check-up.

Solve The Problem Together

If your toddler is afraid of the dark, go to a store and buy him a nightlight. Let him choose the design that he wants. If your toddler is scared of dogs, show him that you are not afraid of him. Let him watch as you and your house dog play fetch. Create a monster chant together so he can say it each time he feels scared. Show your toddler that you are not afraid of his fears, this encourages him to imitate you which will help him overcome his fears.

Offer A Comfort Object

Giving your toddler your old teddy bear, a blanket you used when you were a baby or a special pillow can help ease his fears. Comfort objects can offer your scared toddler familiarity and reassurance. Let him hold on to it at night, when visiting his doctor or when meeting new people.

Give Praise

Facing fears can be hard work so once you notice your little one is making progress commend him for a job well done or offer him a reward like letting him pick out a new toy or cooking him his favorite food. Your optimism encourages your toddler to strive harder.

Fears come and go but it is important that you help him deal with them so he can function better.

It is normal for toddlers to feel anxious when parents have to leave, even moms and dads feel sad about it. Although it is not easy, parents can help toddlers overcome separation anxiety with a little patience and understanding. Here is how to do it.

What Causes It

Separation anxiety begins at around 6 months of age and can last until 4 years of age. This is normal and it usually goes away  as he grows older. However, there are some toddlers who experience prolonged or re-occurrence of extreme separation anxiety which can interfere with their development, social interaction and personality or worse, lead to a disorder. This is alarming so it is best to counteract it as early as possible.

Ways to Handle It

Practice

Make the transition easier by training your baby early. Leave your toddler under the care of someone you trust (e.g. babysitter or relative) babysitter for brief periods and short distances at first. For example, you can leave your little one with your caregiver while you run errands, grocery shop or have lunch with your friends.

Include other people. Look for activities that require the participation of others. If your toddler wants you to read him a book, include his siblings. If he wants to play outside, invite your neighbor’s kids. In this way, you get to train your baby without pressuring him too much. He will not even notice it because he is having fun.

Prepare Your Toddler Ahead of Time

Talk about your departure a few days before the said event. Make sure your toddler knows when and where you will be going, what you need to do and when you will be back. Let him know who is going to watch over him and what activities he can do while you are away. Remind him about it the night before or in the morning while having breakfast. If you have work that requires you to be out for a day, say “Mommy has to go somewhere for work, but you do not have to be sad since you get to spend time with your aunt and cousins and visit the amusement park. That would be so much fun don’t you think? Let us talk about your adventures during dinner, okay sweetie?”.

Have A Separation Ritual

Create a “goodbye ritual”. Instead of sneaking out of the house while he is distracted just so you can prevent the tears, wave bye-bye, hug, give him a kiss and assure him you will be back in no time and go. Rituals are reassuring as they make toddlers feel safe, loved and protected. Plus, it will not make your toddler think you might disappear without prior notice which will only make him scared and increase his separation anxiety.

Offer A Security Object

Giving your toddler a reminder of mommy and daddy may help him deal with your absence and give him solace. Each time you go out and leave him, give him something which will remind him of you. Make sure it is special – a book you read him every night, a teddy bear, your old shirt or a blanket you made especially for him.

Keep Him Busy

Provide a distraction. Engage your toddler and his caregiver in an activity before you leave. When the time comes for you to go, give your toddler a quick goodbye kiss and hug and leave. He may cry for a while but the activity can keep him entertained while you are away.

Bear in mind that your toddler is an individual and not merely an extension of you. Work on establishing your child’s independence and sense of self to help him understand that.

Doing the things that you and your family love to do is a great way to build strong bonds. With family bonding, you get to do activities together. You not only strengthen the bond in your family but you also serve as a good example to your toddler.

Family Bonding Can…

Make Your Toddler Happy and Positive

It is within the family where a toddler can either flourish or deteriorate. Simple things like watching movies, dining out, walking the dog and doing household chores together can make your toddler happy. Family bonding ensures your toddler that he is accepted which in turn helps him accept the little things in life. The more he feels it, the more he is encouraged to try new things with his family and that tight bond he shares with each family member will help your toddler develop into a bright, healthy and good individual.

 Provide A Strong Support System

Lack of family bonding makes toddlers susceptible to doing destructive things such as cheating, stealing and doing drugs. Having a close family bond is like a secure harbor wherein your toddler can find refuge. It instils in him the idea that he can trust you, that you will pick him up when he falls down and that he can find solace in his parents whatever triumphs and storms (from falling down as a toddler when practicing how to walk to moving on after his first heartbreak) your toddler will go through in life. Simple family bonding activities like storytelling, hugs and kisses, eating out and daily conversations give structure, protection and a sense of warmth. These assures your toddler of your love and establishes confidence in his parents.

Boost Self-confidence

Regular family bonding is a way for toddlers to get positive reinforcement. The healthy feedbacks you give to your little one affects his personality. Once your toddler knows he has a close-knit family, his self-image improves, he becomes more open with his peers and will not hold grudges. Also, studies have shown that typical family bonding activities (e.g. board games, watching TV, playing, etc.) helps toddlers function more productively which in turn increases their level of confidence.

 Improves Communication

Knowing your little one can talk to you anytime encourages your toddler to become more open and trustworthy. Bonding time will greatly help you eliminate any barrier between you and your child. A simple conversation about you and your husband’s childhood and adolescent experiences will not only keep both you and your young one laughing but it also builds a strong foundation between parent and child.

Reinforces Respect

Time spent together with mommy and daddy playing tag or swimming shows your toddler the importance of respect (whether he wins or loses), taking turns, waiting and sharing. Hence, your toddler will realize that he can do so much more with good behaviour than by displaying his tantrums. Your toddler will use less talking back and more listening. Also, creative play allows your toddler to release his frustrations in a non-violent and fruitful way, eliminating aggressive behaviors.