Teaching your toddler to follow your instructions can seem to be a ‘Herculean task’ but by making use of certain positive parenting tips for toddlers, the task may not be that difficult. It is difficult to deal with toddlers as they are irrational thinkers, self-asserting, and have little control over themselves. The key to disciplining toddlers is patience and consistency. In this article, we’ll have a look at some sure-fire tips that can help you improve toddler behavior.
Smart Parenting Tips to Improve Toddler Behavior
Kids observe everything we do and learn from the same. As a parent, it is important to know some practical ways to ensure good behavior in toddlers. You need to balance your praise, love, cuddles, strictness, and time-out. Praise, as well as attention, are the key aspects to motivate toddlers to follow what you teach them.
1. Apply Time-out:
Many a time, we see parents of toddlers looking quite frustrated as they cannot figure out how to discipline a toddler who doesn’t listen. Psychologists say that if redirection, reprimands, and loss of any privileges cannot change the offending behavior of your child, make use of the discipline tool, popularly known as ‘time-out.’
Before putting your child in a corner for half an hour to one hour, warn him in a stern voice. After the punishment is over demand an apology from him and give him a big hug. Psychologists say that toddlers hate the idea of being separated from their toys and parents. Thus, a warning of a time-out is sufficient in most cases.
2. Keep Your Cool:
It is indeed difficult to stay calm when your toddler engages in any unacceptable behavior. It could be anything from pulling a dog’s tail to temper tantrums at a mall to refusing to brush his teeth or taking his bath. As a parent, you should always remember to stay calm and not give in to your emotions.
Your angry reaction will only boost your toddler’s entertainment level. Instead, make eye contact with your child and rebuke him in a stern tone to make him realize that you would punish him seriously if he continues that way.
3. Be Aware of Triggers:
We often come across disobedient and aggressive children. Parents of such ill-behaved children feel helpless as they cannot find a way to discipline a toddler who hits. The best way to deal with such a problem is to identify the triggers that initiate aggressive behavior.
The triggers could be anything from sleepiness and hunger to rapid changes in location. You can avoid the triggers with a little planning. For instance, avoid going to the grocery store with your child during his lunch or nap time. Always keep some snack ready to beat the hunger pangs of your child, when you are outside.
4. Be Persistent:
A toddler of 2-3 years of age tries hard to figure out how his behavior can impact people surrounding him. Thus be persistent in your behavior so that you do not confuse your child with mixed signals.
For instance, if you punish your son one day for pushing another child and let him go the next day when he repeats the same thing, you will confuse him with your inconsistent behavior.
5. Distract Your Child:
Take advantage of your toddler’s short attention span. If you find your toddler ignoring your instructions, the best way to deal with him is to engage him in a productive activity. For instance, if your child goes on hitting against the living room wall despite telling him repeatedly, divert his attention towards his favorite book.
With the above-mentioned parenting tips for improving toddler behavior, you can sail through the phase of the ‘terrible twos.’ Patience and consistency are the keys to success. Create a conducive environment for your toddler. The idea is not to punish him for his unacceptable behavior but to find out ways to command acceptable behavior from your child.
