Quick Tips for Teaching a Toddler to Follow Your Instructions
Handling a tough toddler is never easy, but one big plus is being able to maintain your cool and be patient. Ha! Easier said than done, parents everywhere yell. It is hard to contain your frustration, but toddlers are prone to mirroring back your emotions. Toddlers take cues from you, so if you’re projecting a negative energy, the toddler will project back the same negative energy.
Handling your difficult toddler isn’t as simple and quick as saving money at the office. Finding the best business coupon is easy, by doing a few Internet searches and reading some reviews. Likewise, business software coupons are within your grasp with just a bit of Internet savvy. You probably feel comfortable with these steps because you’re familiar with them; it’s nothing new or difficult. Learning to deal with a toddler isn’t too much different, really, you need to follow simple steps and keep your cool.
A first strategy is to teach ahead of time what you want your toddler to do. If you are trying to teach your child to get into the car seat without fighting you, consider “practicing” getting into the car seat in the house. Try bringing the car seat in, or if that isn’t convenient, have fun making a pretend car seat. Turn it into a game. Make it a game. If you can manage to teach the desired response ahead of time, you have a greater chance of getting that behavior in the moment that you want it. Be liberal with your praise, and always make these practice sessions fun.
Another thing to try is to simply describe to your toddler a behavior you want from him or her, and then describe the corresponding reward or consequence. Perhaps you give a small piece of candy (just one!) each time the child sits on the potty chair. By laying out the expectation ahead of time, this isn’t actually “bribery.” This is establishing a positive consequence for a particular behavior you desire. You could also employ a time out if the child does not perform the behavior you wish to encourage. In short and concise statements describe the desired response, and encourage this response before a release from time out.
Here are just a few quick tips to help you better handle your spirited toddler.
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