Top Ways Parents Can Reason With Their Toddler
Dealing with toddlers may be a hard and difficult thing to do especially for first-time parents
. As kids grow up to be toddlers, the latter start to understand their surroundings more and most of them may use tantrums or crying as a means of getting what they want. Such situations may be awkward and embarrassing especially if done in a public place. So to help give you an idea, here are some ways in which you can try reasoning out with your toddler:
1. Avoid responding with corporal punishment - More and more experts are agreeing that corporal punishment is an ineffective way of getting kids to listen to you. They may stop what they are doing for fear of the pain but it would not effectively make them understand why they are doing something wrong. Moreover, hitting the child may just cause more fuss as they cry from the physical pain you have caused.
2. Speaking is the way to go - You might need loads of patience and the right voice intonation to be able to reason out with your toddler. The first thing to do would be to sit down and try to achieve eye contact with your toddler because this way you can get him to pay attention to you. Make sure that you also use a soft but firm voice when talking to the toddler. The last thing you want is for them to fear you. You might also need to touch their shoulder or hold their hand so you can still make them feel some affection amidst the serious talk.
3. Talk in simple terms - Keep in mind that you are talking with a toddler so jargons are definitely out of the question. In addition to this, you might want to use examples to make it easier for you toddler to get your point. Relate the event directly to what they might feel if they were in your position and you can't give them what they ask for at the moment. Kids under 2 years old might appreciate it better if you talk to them using the 3rd person.
4. Affirm that you understand what they want but explain why they cannot have it. - You need to keep your reasoning positive and you need to empathize with your toddler's situation for them to open up to you and try to see things the way you want them to. Tell them that you know how fun or exciting something or an activity may be for them but just the same, it is also crucial that you explain them the disadvantages of giving them what they want at the moment.
Patience and understanding are two of the most important things you need to have when trying to reason out with toddlers. Early on you should already anticipate that they would refuse to listen to you and remain closed to what you have to say. Coax them to listen and don't force them to and never resort to making empty threats because the toddler can easily learn that you only say those things but never do them anyway.
by: Harrison Fray
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