Key Thought
Knowing she belongs to a family and community is a key concept for your toddler to learn. Provide lots of opportunities for her to have special people in her life—those who are delighted to spend time with her.
Knowing she belongs to a family and community is a key concept for your toddler to learn. Provide lots of opportunities for her to have special people in her life—those who are delighted to spend time with her.
Whirlwind is the key word for this month. Your toddler can go anywhere she wants now and her curiosity gets her into many difficulties. She has no awareness of the consequences of her actions. Hold steady. Stay consistent. Be there for her. As her mastery of speech improves, so will her behavior.
My mother’s guiding principle about childrearing was, “I want to raise children other people enjoy.” Other people do not enjoy a child who is out of control. While she is learning independence, it is our goal to teach her self-control. This is when that process begins.
Your toddler has a good sense of humor now and she loves slapstick comedy. She will belly laugh at the absurd, like putting a diaper on your head or using a banana as a comb. Try humor to diffuse tense moments. Don’t allow yourself to start yelling. Instead make a joke you and your toddler can laugh at.
As your baby takes her first steps, she officially becomes a toddler. If you try to keep your home primarily nice for adults, you will spend a lot of time restraining your toddler and redirection her attention. It is much better to make your home safe and available for her explorations for some time to come.