The Toddler Years

The toddler years between age one and four can be incredibly challenging, but also an amazing and exciting time as your toddler’s development and independence progresses and personality grows.

The four following ingredients will help to build a positive relationship with your toddler:

Mutual respect

Parents often complain that their children do not respect them, remember toddlers learn by copying parents behaviour.

To establish mutual respect, we must be willing to initiate the behaviour by demonstrating respect for our toddlers. Minimize your negative talk and treat them how you would like to be treated.

Communicating love

Telling your toddler that you love them, especially when they are not anticipating such a comment and nonverbal signs such as pats, hugs, kisses and tousling hair are extremely important. Love is also communicated by the way you relate to your toddler. Through your attitude of mutual respect and through you allowing them to develop responsibility and independence.

Taking time for fun

In the busy pace of modern life, the important ingredient of time together is quality, not quantity. Take ten minutes each day with each of your children doing something enjoyable. Jointly plan the way you will spend the time, even very young toddlers can choose an activity. Name it their special time with you.

In addition to individual time the family need to spend time together having fun at least once a week.

Top Tip

Take a look at Toddler Taming by Christopher Green (a parent’s guide to the first four years).

Well worth reading, if only to reassure yourself that what you maybe experiencing is perfectly normal.

Encouragement

We must believe in our children if they are to believe in themselves. Toddlers need frequent encouragement to help them become confident children. Remember to always show approval for the smallest of achievements.

Mandy Holmes
Health Visitor

See our Top Ten Toddler Tips