Helpful Tips: Toddlers

I had so much fun with my last post that I decided I would do it again. I hope you enjoy this second installment of Helpful Tips.

(Be sure to read both lists. It is not a misprint.)

What are typical behavioral characteristics and challenges?

Children are in the Toddler Years from 1 ½ years old until their 3rd birthday. During this time, they go through many new physical, emotional and intellectual experiences, such as:

• High energy levels. Toddlers have lots of energy! This is a period of rapid motor growth. Your child is learning to walk, run, climb, throw and feed himself.
• Curiosity. Toddlers are very interested in how the world works. Your child will want to explore everything in her environment and test how people respond to her behavior.
• Impulsivity. Toddlers begin experiencing impulses and do not have control over them! Remember your child will need your guidance in areas such as safety, manners and empathy.
• Frustration. Toddlers only know how to use a limited number of words and may get frustrated because they cannot express themselves.
• Tantrums. You may see anger in the form of outbursts, typically called "tantrums," during this age. Outbursts peak from 16-24 months and then decline. Your toddler may need your extra help in calming down.
• Independence. Toddlers want to do things by themselves. It's important to be patient and allow enough time for your child to practice everyday tasks such as getting dressed or feeding herself.
• "Mine." Children can become extremely possessive at this age and "mine" is a word you will hear often!

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Now for Mom's version.

What are typical behavioral characteristics and challenges?

Children are in the Toddler Years from 1 ½ years old until their 3rd birthday. During this time, they go through many new physical, emotional and intellectual experiences, such as:

• High energy levels. Here she comes. There she goes. Here she comes. There she goes.
  
• Curiosity. NOTHING is safe.
  
• Impulsivity. If I want to do it, that's what I'm gonna do. If you tell me "No," I won't listen. If you make me stop, I'll get mad. If you try to distract me, I'll go right back to doing whatever it was that I wanted to do.
  
• Frustration. Is THAT what they call it?
  
• Tantrums. Um - "May see outbursts" ??? "MAY SEE OUTBURSTS" --- I think somebody was being highly optimistic. This should have been worded --- "You WILL see outbursts".
  
• Independence. "I do it myself." "No. I do it. " "Go away. I do it."
  
• "Mine." Mine. It's mine mine mine. It's all mine. Everything is mine. Mine mine mine.