They look little adults, but their brain does not work like a tiny adult brain. How many times have you taken her to the park only to deal with a melt down because another child is on the swing she wanted or set up a play date that went awry because someone took the toy he wanted. According to Dr. Tovah Kline, author of “How Toddlers Thrive,” toddlers do not see the world like we do. Toddlers do not have the ability to think ahead, rationalize, use logic, or control their emotional responses. Toddlers live solely in the present tense, concerned only about themselves and what is happening in their immediate world. They want safety, attention, entertainment, and yet they want independence all at the same time. So, how do we capitalize on this to teach them about early science, technology, engineering, math, and keep those brain cells connecting?
During this transition from baby to toddler, their mind is going fast and furious and anything we can do to provide fuel for this will help them learn about the world. Dr. Kline points out “How we interact with toddlers now plays an enormous role in how they develop later. Set a strong foundation during the toddler years, and ongoing development has a firm base. Weaken that foundation during these crucial years, and the consequences are seen for years to come.” What does she mean by this? Your toddler is in a period of explosive growth, but they will not be able to grow and mature if they do not have a firm foundation of safety, security, trust, and comfort. But all she wants is freedom! You are probably thinking. So how do we walk that delicate balance, teach them the skills they need to know, and keep them safe and secure at the same time?
It is important to make an effort to see the world through your toddler’s eyes. By shifting your orientation to your child’s point of view, you will have a better understanding of what is upsetting her or making her happy and you will be better equipped to give her the skills she needs.
As you set up amazing play experiences and opportunities to learn about her world, there are a few strategies to keep in mind so the play dough activity doesn’t end up thrown across the kitchen. Dr. Kline outlines five steps to parenting from the toddler’s point of view:
- Stay close, even when it is hard. This makes them feel secure and protected and allows you to redirect before things get out of control.
- Remember you are always in charge. This can be achieved by setting limits. Know that you will be tested, but stay firm. This will make sure she always knows what to expect.
- Be consistent. Consistency helps ground toddlers. You can do this by establishing routines, bedtimes, and structure in your day. Toddlers do not understand time, so keeping them on a schedule is really helpful.
- Be realistic. If you toddler is 15 months, don’t set up an elaborate science experiment, just let them collect some leaves, then jump in them.
Now, let’s look at some STEM activities based on these concepts. Your toddler just wants to explore and touch. She is still in her Sensorimotor stage, so give her simple opportunities to explore. When outside, look for different textures to compare. Find things that are smooth, rough, and bumpy. While in the bathtub, give her measuring cups and talk about full and empty. See if she can use two hands to dump larger containers and just one hand to dump smaller containers. Talk about what she is doing and use spatial words such as “more” and “less”. Keep it simple. She is learning all day long. Give her the skills to control her emotions and need for immediate gratification and she will learn and retain more throughout the day.
Resources
Kline, T. (2015). How Toddlers Thrive. Simon & Schuster, Inc.