When your baby was born, she had no idea that she was a separate person from you with thoughts and feelings and two arms and two legs. This is something she is learning over time. Self-awareness, or “sense of self” is an important skill that contributes to your child’s level of independence and...
Your 24-month-old is developing a stronger sense of self-awareness. This new awareness helps your toddler realize that he is separate from you and other people and that he has his own thoughts and feelings. He is also beginning to learn that other people have thoughts and feelings that are different from his. With this new...
Is your toddler becoming a bossy-pants? Do you hear the words “no,” “mine,” “watch me,” and “I can do it” more and more everyday? Sounds like you have a typical toddler. He is experimenting with his new-found ability to use language to cause a reaction in people and sometimes even get what he wants. Your...
While some toddlers may be very affectionate, always in your lap and generous with the hugs and kisses, other toddlers pretend not to even know mom and dad. They are figuring out just how independent they are going to be. This can also vary from day to day. One day, you may have the...
If it feels like you spend all day butting heads with your toddler, this can be exhausting and frustrating for both of you! There are two strategies that are pretty efficient in helping with this constant frustration- create safe spaces, and redirect attention. Creating safe spaces will decrease the need for you to be constantly...
When a child pats another child on the back because they are crying or offers a child their binky because they are sad or hands you a toy to help you clean up, that shows that they are recognizing the needs and feeling of others. This is a critical milestone. For some children, this...
Stress is very real for babies and toddlers. They are very sensitive and very aware of their environment. When the adults who care for them are overwhelmed or stressed, that transfers to the child and causes them to feel stress. There is normal, everyday stress that comes from keeping a tight schedule, occasional frustrations and...
Sharing is one of the most difficult early skills to master. It can be so frustrating when you are trying to raise your child with kindness and compassion and you see him throw a fit because another child wants to play with his blocks. Take a minute to think like a toddler. His blocks are...
Suddenly he wants to do everything himself from brushing his own teeth to climbing into his carseat and the slightest helping hand from you can result in an all-out tantrum. If this is the tune your toddler is singing, you’re not alone! She is getting to the age where she craves independence and the only...
He is experimenting with his own socialization right now. He is learning that some of his interactions have positive responses and some have negative responses. Maybe whining does not get him what he wants, but he learns through repetition, so he will try again and again to keep testing your reaction. He probably is paying...
