A 1- or 2-year-old can be a delight. It is difficult to imagine that life could change so much since she was born. Her rapidly expanding vocabulary is exciting to hear. Her antics appear so mature as she continues to progress.
With her expanding development, however, comes a very mobile new person who can get into lots of cupboards, drawers, shelves, boxes and everything else the used to belong exclusively to you. Your little dynamo can easily leave a trail behind her as she maneuvers her way about her new and interesting environment.
In her humorous book, “Rattle Fatigue,” Linda Lewis Griffith writes about surviving this stage with your toddler:
• Do make your house as safe and indestructible as possible. Don’t keep valuable or delicate items where your toddler can get to them.
• Do keep “no’s” to a minimum. Don’t frustrate your child by bombarding her with “no’s” about everything she does.
• Do use discipline when you are close enough to back up your words by swiftly removing her from the scene. Don’t try to discipline you child when you are clear across the room.
• Do look for alternative activities when your child is tempted by something she shouldn’t touch. Don’t expect your child to stay out of your things just because you say not to.
• Do remember that toddlers are easily frustrated. Don’t give your child toys that are too complex, too large, or in some other way inappropriate.
• Do recognize that all siblings have their share of quarrels and squabbles. Don’t feel that your toddler is being traumatized when she is excluded by her older siblings.
• Do remember to take time for yourself amid all this chaos. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back from time to time.
A positive outlook
This is definitely a time to pay attention to the good things that your little one is doing. It is important to remember that all this may look like play but it is really your child’s job. It may look like she is playing but she is really working. She is working by putting all her effort into her job. Her job is playing.
While she plays, she learns how the wheels of the wagon turn, how she can change the direction she is going on her tricycle, how she can push the wagon or pull it or turn it over. She is learning how she can move objects from one place to another.
Learning takes a great deal of effort especially when you are a toddler. She has a lot to learn so she really has a lot of work to do during each day while she plays. Notice the effort and let her see that you recognize her hard work.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.
