How to fix your toddler’s challenging behaviours

Raising children involves dealing with various phases of their growth journey. Effective parenting requires a flexible and adaptive approach. One such challenging phase is between the ages of two and three, which is a significant cognitive, emotional, and social growth period. With a newfound sense of freedom, boundless energy, and curiosity, children often tend to test their boundaries posing unique challenges for their parents.

While children embark on their journey of discovery, it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that exposure happens within the boundaries of safety and acceptable behaviour. Here are some tips for parents to help navigate this delicate balance and foster healthy growth and development in their children.

For their brimming energy, provide an outlet for their curiosity and sense of freedom through appropriate books, toys, games, and activities to give them a sense of control while also promoting learning and discovery.

Encouraging children to express their thoughts, questions, concerns, and feelings goes a long way in establishing a healthy relationship with them. When they feel that they are heard and understood they will display cooperation without throwing tantrums. During this process, they will also develop the ability to navigate challenges, negotiate conflicts, and build essential social skills.

The boundaries of acceptable behaviour should be communicated early on. Any attempt to breach the boundaries should be met with immediate consequences to establish the cause-and-effect relationship of their actions.

Parents should practise positive reinforcement by praising and acknowledging good behaviour. It helps boost their confidence and helps them understand the connection between good behaviour and positive outcomes.

Parents should understand that the toddler years are a time of exploration and growth. When faced with challenging behaviours, they should try to see the situation from the child’s perspective. It will help create a supportive environment for their development.

Through a collaborative approach, parents can establish a healthy parent-child bond right from the early years laying the foundation for mature, well-adjusted individuals in the years to come.