Tag Archive | "toddler behaviour"

How To Prevent Toddler Tantrums


A toddler in the midst of a fit might be too hard to control. But even if it is impossible to stop your toddler from ever having a tantrum, there are many things you can do to prevent them. Here are some parent-tested tips on how to prevent toddler tantrums.

Identify The Triggers

What sets off your toddler to have a meltdown? The first step on how to prevent toddler tantrums is to figure out what sets off the behaviour so you can stop it before your toddler dissolves into a full-blown tantrum. For instance, avoid bringing your little one with you when you shop if you know he will just beg and whine for toys and treats. Choose restaurants with a quick service. Make sure your toddler is well-fed and well-rested before going to grandma’s house.

Give Your Toddler Choices

Giving your little one freedom to make his own choices gives him a sense of control which children constantly crave for. This is a very effective technique to prevent toddler tantrums. Substitute direct commands. Instead of saying “Put on your pajamas right now.” (which often sets off a battle), say, “Do you want to brush your teeth or put on your pajamas first?” or “Would you like to wear your blue pajamas or your white pajamas?”. Do not forget to compliment your toddler for his choice.

Encourage Your Toddler To Use Words

Most often, tantrums occur because a young child is unable to express his thoughts and feelings which make a toddler feel helpless. Teach your little one to say or sign words such as “hungry”, “sleepy”, “hurt”, “I want.” and “more”. The easier your toddler can communicate with you, the lesser the chances you are to struggle with tantrums.

Establish A Daily Routine

Toddlers thrive when there is consistency. Thus, it is very essential that you create a daily routine, including mealtimes, naptime, bedtime as well as everyday activities. See to it that you stick to the routine as much as possible. Having a routine helps your toddler know what to expect, giving him a feeling of security which in turn minimizes toddler tantrums.

Keep Your Toddler Busy

Plan active and quiet times for your little one. If you notice your toddler has been playing outdoors or around the house for quite some time, invite your toddler to sit quietly and read a story or finish a puzzle together. If you think your toddler has been cooped up in the house for hours, play active games, ask him to help you with household chores or take a walk around the neighbourhood to get some sun and fresh air.

Give Warnings

If there is any change of plans or activity, make sure you notify your toddler beforehand. For instance, before you pack up the toys or leave the playground, give your little one a 3- to 5-minute warning. Say something like, “We are about to leave in 5 minutes. It is almost time to say goodbye.”, “We will be cleaning up your toys in a while. After we pack them up, let us head to the kitchen and have a snack.”.

Provide Distractions

If you feel your toddler is about to have an outburst, try to distract your toddler. Play a new game. Go to the next room. Sing a song. Talk about anything under the sun. Be silly and make funny faces. It also helps to teach your toddler calming exercises such as counting to ten, taking a deep breath, going for a walk or writing.

Praise Good Behaviour

One way how to prevent toddler tantrums is to give children credit for their good behaviour. Give your toddler a big hug, kiss or a pat on the back for behaving well. Say “I am so happy you behaved in the restaurant.” or “Thank you for following mommy’s instructions.”.

Be A Good Example

Most importantly, there is no better technique how to prevent toddler tantrums by setting a good example for your toddler. If you shout when you are angry or frustrated, then expect your toddler to act the same way when he gets upset. Stay calm and be mature when dealing with difficult situations. Your toddler will see this and will most likely emulate the behaviour.

Toddler tantrums are normal. After all, it is a toddler’s way of expressing and experimenting with feelings. But, these preventive measures are very important in helping a toddler learn how to control emotions and display good behaviour.

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Raising An Optimistic Child


One of the most important characteristics you can nurture in your child is optimism. Raising an optimistic child teaches a toddler to be capable in overcoming challenges much better than a toddler who is filled with pessimism. Here are some tips on how you can raise an optimistic child.

Set A Positive Example

The first step to raising an optimistic child is to become an optimist yourself. Keep in mind that you are your toddler’s role model – your toddler will mimic whatever you say and do. Sure, the world may not be a bed of roses but never let your struggles and complaints get the best of you. Make a decision to focus more on the positive – the things that make you laugh or things that would excite your little one. When you attain success, give yourself credit for a job well done. When facing hurdles, look for the silver lining rather than feel depressed.

Help Your Toddler Deal With His Thoughts

In order to raise an optimistic child, you have to help your toddler recognize his thoughts. Ask your toddler how he is feeling and what he is thinking. Listen attentively. For instance, if he got a low score in his Math subject, ask him what he felt and thought at that time. Then, help your toddler cope with frustrations and hurts. This teaches your toddler not to exaggerate things and put things in perspective.

Keep Your Toddler Busy

All too often, toddlers complain that they are bored. Such boredom can make a toddler dreary and too weak to let life in. Hence, it is very important to discourage boredom. Keep your little one busy and entertained by encouraging him to do various fun activities. Play games. Read a book. Doodle. Go out. Allow your toddler to spend more time in the playground or do whatever he wants to do (as long as he is safe). An optimistic child knows how to find ways to make himself happy, thus making life more interesting.

Encourage Success

Help your toddler experience success at an early age. Instead of doing things for your toddler, let your little one do things for himself. Give your toddler responsibilities at home such as putting his toys away, setting the table, sorting socks, etc. By doing these things, your toddler is achieving success which helps develop self-esteem and optimism.

Give Praise

It is very essential for a parent to acknowledge a toddler’s success. For instance, if he got a high score in his homework, say, “You did so well on your homework. I am proud of you!” or “You are such a hard worker, baby!”. Giving a child credit for his own accomplishments will make him feel good and think good thoughts.

Make Room For Mistakes

Raising an optimistic child means allowing the child to make mistakes. If your toddler wants to try out something new, encourage him to do it. If your toddler succeeds, then very good. But if he fails, persuade your toddler to try again. Explain to your toddler that people make mistakes and help him gauge what he can do so he can do better next time. Remember not to use negative labels or compare your toddler to others when he makes mistakes as this can permanently impact (in a negative way) his outlook in life.

Help Your Toddler Look For The Bright Side

For you to raise an optimistic child, you have to help your little one see the good in every bad situation. For instance, if he is unable to play outside because it is raining, play indoor games or make hot chocolate together instead. By working on the problem together, your toddler is able to understand that while things may not always go the way he wants it to be, there is still hope.

Show Your Toddler Affection

Make it a point to show your precious one you love him. Kiss, say loving words, give hugs and pats on the back and cuddle from time to time. Spend some one-on-one time every day. Studies show that children who are shown plenty of affection at a young age are able to self-soothe, a very important skill parents need to teach their children for them to successfully raise an optimistic child.

An optimistic child is full of energy, promise and brimming with happiness in spite of adversities. Helping your toddler become an optimist will make your little one believe that life is good and help him grow into a successful individual.

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How To Deal With An Unruly Child


Being unruly is part of toddler development. But if it is becoming a problem for you, your child and the people around him, what’s a parent to do? Follow these tips on how to deal with an unruly child.

Set Clear Limitations

Your toddler needs to know what is expected of him. Give clear cut rules in words your toddler can comprehend. But do not make the list too long or your little one will not remember any single rule. Saying “Do not do things that are not safe.”, “Do not be mean to people.” and “You have to finish your homework before playing.” are good examples. Once rules have been set, make sure you stick to them. Being consistent will make your unruly child respect your rules.

Never Give In

Another effective technique on how to deal with an unruly child is standing firm. Do not let your guard down. Remember that toddlers are being unruly because they want to test their parents and see if they will follow through with the consequence. If you are out with your toddler and he starts whining because he wants a new toy (again), say “Keep quiet.”. If he ups the ante and starts a full blown meltdown, do not cave in. Stay calm and ignore your toddler (even if you are embarrassed). Your unruly child will eventually give up because he knows you will not pay him any attention.

Make A Few Threats

Make a small number of threats and carry through on those you do make. It is effortless to tell your toddler that he cannot watch TV if he does not clean his room, but when you do not hold on to that threat, you are conveying a message that you do not really mean what you say. As a result, he will only disobey you. So if you are not good at keeping threats, then do not try making them.

Have Reasonable Consequences

One way to deal with an unruly child is to give consequences. No, you do not have to use corporal punishment to discipline an unruly toddler. But rather, create consequences that directly connect with your toddler. For instance, if he likes playing outside, have him stay inside the house if he misbehaves. Or, put him in time-out for talking back.

Bond With Your Toddler

Make an effort to spend more time with your toddler. One reason why a toddler is unruly is because he longs for his parents’ attention. Eat breakfast together. Let him tag along when you run errands. Allow him to do his homework at the dining table while you prepare dinner. Read him a book during bedtime. Talk about your day. Bonding with your toddler creates a sense of closeness and may reduce unruly behaviour that stems from insecurity and longing for affection.

Praise Good Behaviour

This may be a cliché but offering positive reinforcement encourages a child to repeat a good behaviour. Do not just focus on the times he is being unruly, commend him when he does something good. A hug, kiss, cooking his favorite food for dinner and uttering “Thank you for cleaning your room.” have a huge impact in making a toddler feel appreciated.

Dealing with an unruly child can be frustrating. But with a little time, lots of patience and practice, you can help your toddler behave appropriately.

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Disciplining Children Without Using Threats


Parents have a hard time controlling their emotions once they are irked with their children. Hence, they result to using threats in the hope of correcting their toddlers’ bad behaviour. However, threatening will only backfire. Here are some tips on disciplining children without using threats.

Talk To Your Child

Communication is the best way to discipline a toddler. Instead of telling your toddler you will spank him if he does not clean up the mess he made, talk to your toddler in a calm yet firm manner and in words a toddler can easily comprehend. Help him understand that cleanliness is very important and that he should be responsible for everything he does. Set a clear expectation. Give him simple rules and let your child know that there will be consequences once he breaks them.

Decide On A Consequence

Giving a consequence is more effective than using threats. But, be sure you are consistent or otherwise they will become ineffective. Choose a consequence you think will work on your toddler. For instance, you can put him on a time out. Leave him in a quiet room for a few minutes (you can go to other room so you can still keep a close eye on your toddler) and once the two of you are calm enough, you can talk about the problem. Or, you may also withhold privileges such as watching TV, playing video games or playing with friends.

Change Your Words

The next time your toddler misbehaves in the grocery store, instead of saying “Stop running now or I will take away your toy.”, try, “Baby, can you help me find the cereal you like?”. This distracts him from the negative behaviour and offers a positive alternative.

Give Your Toddler Freedom

The more you threaten your toddler, the more he will rebel. Allow your little one to be independent. Give him options. If you want him to clean up his room, instead of saying “No dinner until your room is tidy”., you can say something like, “I want you to pick up your toys and return them in the toy chest. Do you want to do that before or after dinner?”. It gives your toddler a choice while making your expectations clear.

Ignore The Misbehaviour

Toddlers are attention seekers. However, giving your toddler the attention he is looking for each time he misbehaves only increases the misbehaviour. If your toddler is whining because of a toy you did not buy, ignore his complains. Once he realizes you will not give in, he will eventually stop.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

It is very crucial that you give your toddler plenty of love and affection. Giving him a hug or a kiss after a consequence will help your little one understand that you love him but his behaviour is not acceptable.

Most importantly, do not lose your cool. Restraining yourself from using threats can be difficult especially if you become impatient with your toddler. But, if you remain calm, your toddler will also feel calm which makes disciplining your child a lot easier.

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How To Discipline A Screaming Child


Disciplining a toddler is already a tough job for parents. But what if you have a screamer? What do you have to do to correct the behaviour? Here are some tips on how you can discipline a screaming child.

Stay Calm

The first thing you should do is to remain calm. Do not react to screaming with yelling of your own. You are your toddler’s role model, so if he sees you respond to anger with anger, he will only learn that there is nothing wrong with screaming. Keep your composure when dealing with your screaming child. Take deep breaths, count to ten and hold back your frustration.

Acknowledge Your Toddler’s Feelings

Determine the root of the misbehaviour. It may look like mischief, but your toddler’s high-pitched voice is his way of exploring the power of his voice and experimenting with what he can do with it. Screaming is another way for toddlers to communicate or to be heard. Some toddlers shout each time they want their parents’ attention while others scream when they want something they cannot have.

Ignore It

When your little one begins shrieking up a storm, leave him alone for a few minutes, turn on some music and sing a song or ask him to sing with you. Ignoring the screaming will make your toddler stop his tantrums because he knows you will not give him attention if he continues the bad behaviour.

Address The Issue

Once your little one has calmed down, talk to your toddler in a calm and firm manner. Explain to him that screaming is unacceptable and is against the rules. You can say “I know you are upset because you want another scoop of ice cream, but yelling is not good. You should ask nicely.”

Provide Distractions

Another way to control your toddler’s screaming is to keep him busy. Offer a new activity or toy. If you are in a restaurant and your toddler starts yelling, step outside for a few minutes. Play fun games such as “I Spy” while running errands with your toddler. Ask him to help you pick out fruits and vegetables while at the supermarket. Better yet, make up a song about what you are doing to make it more entertaining for your little one.

Give A Consequence

No, you do not have to be violent to make your toddler stop screaming. Whenever your toddler is yelling, give an effective punishment. Put him in a time-out. Leave him in a safe corner and have him sit there for a short time or until he is calm enough. Or, you may also withhold privileges (TV, video games, desserts or extra minutes of playtime).

Provide Positive Reinforcement

When your toddler behaves appropriately, make sure you give him praise. Hug him and say, “You did good honey. I am very happy you talked nicely even if you were angry.”. Offer him a small but sweet reward such as cooking his favorite food for dinner, a sticker or a small toy. This will increase his motivation to continue the good behaviour.

Never lose hope. Know that this phase is only temporary. Your toddler will outgrow this annoying behaviour in time and of course, with your help.

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Tips For Teaching Tolerance In Toddlers


We are living in a world that is surrounded by differences. If you want your toddler to be open and accepting, you need to teach your child how to be tolerant. Here are some tips you can follow for teaching tolerance in toddlers.

Be A Role Model

The best way you can teach your toddler this important value is to be an example of tolerance. Be mindful of your attitude, the way you speak and talk to others. Children love to imitate their parents, so if you show your toddler the right way to deal with people no matter what race or background they come from, he will also learn to accept and respect them.

Talk About Differences Respectfully

Take the time to explain things to your toddler. Discuss diversity – race, hair color, skin color, religion, traditions, beliefs, etc. in a realistic and informative manner. Avoid name-calling even if you are just joking as this will give your toddler an idea that stereotyping is okay. Tell your toddler that it is good that people are different as it makes the world more interesting. Do not forget to talk about the differences in your family as well. Encourage him to ask questions and make sure to answer them honestly.

Expose Your Toddler

Give your toddler an opportunity to interact with children from different groups. Enroll him in a class, workshop, day camp or daycare center. Visit museums. Travel with your toddler. This new experience will broaden your child’s mind and help him understand the world.

Read books, listen to music and watch TV shows about different cultures. Together, you can learn about the history, holidays, celebrations and lifestyle that are not part of your own practices. A word of caution – the media is a very influential tool in shaping the mind of people, especially children so make sure you select your resources carefully.

Honour Your Family’s Traditions

It is also important to teach your toddler about your own background. Talk about your ancestors. Teach your family practices to your child. Doing so helps your toddler to feel proud of his roots.

Encourage Self-confidence

Everyone knows that people who feel badly about themselves often treat others disrespectfully. Each time your toddler shows respect, compliment him for a job well done. Small rewards such as giving your little one a hug and a kiss, cooking his favorite food for dinner or extending his time at the playground are good ways to show your appreciation. If he feels good about himself, he will be more likely to display tolerance towards others.

Do Not Be Afraid To Reprimand

Whenever you see your toddler being intolerant, call him out to make him aware of his misbehaviour. Never ignore it. If you hear him say slang words which can offend others, say “What you said was not good baby. It can hurt others. You do not want to hurt others don’t you?”.

It is your responsibility to teach your toddler proper behaviour. Thus, it is important that you lead by example and make him aware of people’s differences so you can help him grow into a well-mannered and well-informed individual.

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Toddler Games That Teach Good Behaviour


Parenthood is a huge responsibility. One of the most important obligations you need to instil in your toddler is good behaviour. Fortunately, you can teach your toddler proper manners while having fun at the same time. How? By playing toddler games! Here is a list of good behaviour games to try.

Build A Train

Gather several large cardboard boxes. Provide a variety of art supplies – crayons, markers, stickers, glue, construction paper, etc. and ask each toddler to turn the box into a train car. After they are done decorating the outsides of their box, assist them in organizing the boxes one behind the other and then ask them to jump aboard for a make-believe train ride.

What It Teaches: Teamwork and Perseverance

This game encourages toddlers to work hard in order to generate a positive result. It also teaches the value of cooperation and creates a feeling of “oneness” as they help decorate each other’s boxes.

Blind Workers

Group the toddlers into 3 and assign a leader per team. Each team leader receives an object they are supposed to create (e.g. bridge, tower, etc.) and building materials. The team members are blindfolded so they cannot see the model they have to make. Then, the team leader will direct his teammates to copy the model using the provided materials by giving verbal directions to the members. The team that finishes first is declared as winners

What It Teaches: Leadership, Trust and Cooperation

This game effectively teaches toddlers the significance of giving accurate instructions, performing them correctly, improves leadership skills and promotes trust in children.

I Spy

This game is a great boredom buster. You can take turns spotting nearby objects and describing them. For instance, while you are driving to the grocery store, you can say “I spy with my eye something that is tall…”, then your toddler will try to guess the object by looking for it by following your description. Once he guesses it correctly, he gets to be the next “spy”.

What It Teaches: Patience

Everyone knows toddlers are very impatient because they have a short attention span. The I Spy game will teach your little one to be persistent and to wait courteously while others take their turn.

The Cheer Up Game

Draw a couple of faces showing different gloomy emotions (angry, sad, scared and crying) on large pieces of paper. Place them on a basket and ask the toddlers to take turns picking a face and then have them act out the feeling. For instance, an “angry” toddler can pretend to cross his arms or shout. Then, ask the other players to think of ways to help the “angry” child feel better. They can ask questions like “Why are you mad?” or console the “angry” child by giving the toddler a pat on the back.

What It Teaches: Compassion

This is a very important behaviour toddlers must learn. Through this game, toddlers are able to understand how it feels to be hurt and why it is very important to show respect and be kind to others.

Follow The Helpful Leader

Ask your toddler to follow the “helpful leader” (you). Lead him inside a messy room by singing a song, hopping or clapping. Then, start cleaning up. Make sure he is copying your actions. After a few minutes, switch roles. Your toddler will be the “helpful leader” while you are the follower. Once the room is clean, say “This room looks very tidy!”.

What It Teaches: Cleanliness

This teaches your toddler that he should be accountable of cleaning up his own mess and that tidying up can be fun. It will also motivate him to help in household chores.

Teaching your toddler good behaviour does not have to be complicated. All it takes is a little creativity and entertainment.

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Toddler Biting – How To Stop This Habit


Most toddlers go through a biting phase at some point. While this habit is common and temporary, it is still important that you put an end to it as early as possible. Here are some tried and tested tips on how to stop toddler biting.

Pinpoint The Cause

The first step to stopping this habit is to understand the reason behind the behaviour. Maybe your toddler bites because he is undergoing a transition (e.g. teething), upset, bored, lacks attention or it is his way of exploration, self-expression and self-defense. When you become familiar with your toddler’s actions, you can gain understanding about the causes which can help you stop your child from biting in the future.

Recognize The Habit

Whenever you see your toddler bite, tell your little one to stop. This will make him aware of his action. Remove your toddler from the situation, get down at his level, look him in the eye, express your disapproval in a clear and firm voice and say “Stop biting. Biting is not good.”. If this does not work, take your toddler somewhere quiet to calm down.

Talk To Your Toddler

Explain why biting is not good. Use one or two short sentences to make sure your toddler understands you. For instance, if your toddler bites because he does not want to give his toy to his playmate, say , “Biting hurts. We do not bite. If you do not want David to get your toy car, you can hold on tight and say ‘Mine.’”. Or, you may also try reading a book about biting (try Teeth Are Not For Biting by Elizabeth Verdick and Marieka Heinlen) during story time.

Offer A Substitute

Another effective technique is to offer a biting substitute or a “biting toy” such as a washcloth or a teething toy. Tie the toy or cloth to his hand or clothing so every time he wants to take a bite, your little one will bite on his teething toy or washcloth instead of biting you or his playmate. Eventually, your toddler will not find biting so amusing anymore because he is not getting any attention or reaction from the toy.

Teach Your Toddler How To Express His Feelings

Oftentimes, children bite because they have not developed the verbal skills to communicate their emotions. If your toddler wants to show affection, teach him to hug or kiss. Likewise, if he feels angry or frustrated, teach him to hold his hand up to tell somebody to stop or he can say “I do not want to.” or “I am mad.”. Practice this new skill together until he can effectively use it on his own.

Comfort The Victim

If your toddler bit his older brother, go to him and say “I am sorry. That must have hurt. What can I do to  help?”. Doing so shows your toddler that what he did was wrong while at the same time teaching him how to show compassion. Or, you can encourage your toddler to soothe the victim.

Remember, changing a habit does not happen overnight. It takes time, so be patient. Most of all, never forget to praise your toddler each time he does something good.

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Five Little Behaviour Problems In Children Parents Should Not Ignore


Parenting is such an overwhelming duty. As a result, parents are tempted to overlook petty behaviour problems in children which often lead to bigger behavioural conflicts. Here are 5 toddler misbehaviours you should never ignore.

Problem # 1: Using Tantrums As A Means of Emotional Expression

Think your toddler’s snippy tone, screaming, whining and crying are okay because it is his way of communicating his emotions? Think again. Most often, parents dismiss this kind of behaviour because they think it is just a fleeting phase. However, if you do not confront it as early as now, you may find yourself dealing with an ill-mannered 3-year old who has a hard time getting along with other children.

Solution

Give your toddler a head’s up each time he displays a rude behaviour. Tell him, for example, “When you scream at me, it seems as if you do not respect me.”. But, if this trick does not work, ignore your toddler whenever he throws a fit. Once your child realizes he will not get a reaction from you, he will stop. You can also try distracting your toddler by giving him crayons and papers to help him release his emotions in a more positive way. If all else fails, implement the time-out method. Leave your toddler alone in a safe area for a few minutes. When the time is up, go to him and then talk about what he did wrong and ask him what he should do next time.

Problem # 2: Interrupting Conversations

Toddlers love to talk, even when their parents are on the phone or talking to someone. Though this misbehaviour is unintentional, if you tolerate it, your toddler will become insensitive of other’s privacy.

Solution

Inform your toddler that you will talk or visit someone so he knows he should not interrupt you. Then give him a quiet activity such as coloring a book or assembling a jigsaw puzzle to keep him entertained. You can also use hand signals such as holding up one finger or pointing to a chair to let him know that you will listen to him once you are done talking.

Problem # 3: Being Too Aggressive

It is never correct when your toddler hits, slaps, kicks or punches anyone. Rough behaviour is a difficult issue to resolve so it is best to stop the misbehaviour as early as possible.

Solution

Grab your toddler aside, look him in the eye and tell him (in a firm and clear manner) that punching his playmate is not correct. Follow it up with a question like, “How would you feel if he did that to you?”. Consistently remind him to be gentle. Help him practice friendly behaviour by role playing at home.

Problem # 4: Pretending Not To Hear You

Telling your toddler what to do over and over again before he does it sends the message that it is okay to ignore you. Remember, toddlers often do this because they want to test their parents. So if you tolerate it, the more your child will be defiant.

Solution

Avoid talking to your toddler from across the room. Walk over and tell him what he has to do. If he is in front of the TV, switch it off so his attention is on you. If he does not follow, give a consequence.

Problem # 5: Being A Picky Eater

Food battles are common between toddlers and parents. However, being a picky eater is not a good trait to have especially when your child reaches puberty.

Solution

Compromise. Tell your toddler that he can only have a cookie after he eats some of his vegetables. Or, make a deal that if he eats his veggies during dinner for 5 days, he can plan the family menu for Saturday. Furthermore, do not force him to clear his plate. It is better for him to eat a few servings of broccoli than not eat them at all.

It is very hard to change a bad behaviour. Hence, you have to deal with your toddler’s misbehaviours immediately so you can save you and your toddler from future trouble.

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Toddler Behaviour – Understanding Your Child’s Weird Actions


Toddlers are unpredictable beings. One minute they are in a good mood and then the next, they are acting strange and crying their eyes out. Here is a guide to help you understand toddler behaviour.

Your Toddler Avoids Eye Contact

What It Means

When a toddler does not look someone in the eye, he either feels overwhelmed or guilty. For instance, if it is his birthday and he is receiving gifts, your toddler may not be able to look at you because he is excited. Or, if he knows you are angry because he forgot to put his toys back in the cabinet, he may look at the wall or somewhere else because he feels guilty or embarrassed.

What You Can Do

Wave your hand or place his favorite toy in his line of vision to catch your toddler’s attention. Recognize his misbehaviour using short, simple sentences – “We do not scatter our toys.” and then help him make it right. This helps him understand that everyone commits mistakes, but it is important to take steps to mend the damage. Explain to your child that making eye contact shows he is polite, respectful and paying attention to what the other person is saying. Constantly remind him and praise him when he remembers.

Your Toddler Throws A Tantrum

What It Means

It is shocking when your usually sweet child transforms into a total brat – hitting, screaming and throwing things. These reactions are a toddler’s way to tell you he is bored, hungry, tired or needs attention. It can also indicate that something is bothering him.

What You Can Do

Figure out what is going on. If he is throwing a tantrum because he is bored, go to the park or plan a daytrip. If he wants attention, do a fun activity with him. Talk to your toddler. If he misbehaves for no reason, put him in time-out, withhold his privilege or just ignore him. This sends a clear message that you will not tolerate bad behaviour.

Your Toddler Raises His Shirt Over His Head or Hides Behind Furnitures

What It Means

When toddlers do this, it can only mean one thing – they are nervous. Toddlers are still developing their social skills, hence, they feel anxious when meeting new people.

What You Can Do

Reassure your toddler that everything is okay. Relax, say “Hello.” to people and smile. Give his hands a tight, comforting squeeze. This lets him feel that he is in a secure and friendly place. Do not pressure him to interact, give him time to warm up.

Your Toddler Takes All His Toys To Bed

What It Means

The main reason why toddlers do this is because they are scared. A child’s imagination is at its highest during toddlerhood. He may think monsters will creep into his room or he may have night terrors and keeping comfort items nearby makes your toddler feel safe.

What You Can Do

Saying monsters are not real will not work, so just let your toddler surround himself with as many familiar objects he needs. Or, give him a monster spray and ask him to use it before he sleeps or whenever he feels scared. Put up a “No monsters allowed.” sign on his door. Install a nightlight in his room.

Understanding a toddler’s behaviour is not always easy. But, as long as you pay attention, you can help crack and handle the toddler behaviour code.

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