Best Parenting Tips for Toddlers

It’s a joy to watch your baby’s growth in the first five years. It’s a stressful period too especially for new parents. Me and my husband are working, we also have to look after our 1.5-year-old toddler. Here are my few tips to create a peaceful, engaged environment for your active toddler.

Let Them Get Messy!

Allow some finger painting, some scribbling with pen and pencil, and play with watercolor under your supervision. It may create a stray mark on your wall but it’s a core memory of their childhood!

Let Natural Consequences Guide Their Learning

Toddlers won’t reason well when they are upset. When your toddler ignores instructions not to throw toys then remove access to toys for some time, instead of scolding. Stay composed when throwing tantrums, even though this may sound easy but difficult to achieve.

Always keep in mind that this is a way of communication that will improve over time. Stay firm on safety issues. Some toddlers may play with electric switches and plugs. Say Strict No and make sure you have done enough child-proofing.

Encourage some mimicry

Toddlers always try to imitate us, especially household chores. Let them try to imitate some activities like folding clothes, flipping some plates, and watering plants.

Structure Consistent Daily Routine

Establish a flexible but consistent routine for wakeup, food, playtime, bath, and potty time. Be realistic also. Many times they tend to change their plans. Do interesting things like bathing songs, handwashing songs, etc slowly our babies adapt to this routine.

Encourage Independent Play

Independent play fuels cognitive growth, problem-solving, and emotional regulation at this key stage. Step back to supervise subtly whenever possible.

Prevent Tantrums Before They Start

Tantrums spike around 18 – 24 months and they are not able to communicate effectively. Distract and redirect gently to a new activity or spot to sit quietly. Help to self-soothe them. Give hugs and kisses during the emotional upset. Find out the reason for tantrums like hunger, feeling sleepy, etc.

Childproof Obsessively

Toddlers move fast, climb higher, and grab everything within reach. Eliminate hazards and breakables throughout main living areas to allow your toddler safe, supervised independence. Install cabinet locks, electrical outlet covers, furniture corner cushions, and gates at the stairs.

Secure TVs, heavy decor, and cleaning products up high or behind locks. Check under sinks, clear sharp objects, pad hard edges, and consider doorknob covers. Conduct safety sweeps routinely as your child’s abilities rapidly expand. Building a safe home base allows more focus on enjoying new milestones versus constant rescues!

Sneak Learning Into Play

Avoid traditional desk instruction for active toddlers (and maintain your sanity!) Instead, embed learning opportunities organically throughout the typical play and daily routines. Narrate your actions during chore time for vocabulary building. Count the items you put away.

Relate household objects to colors, textures, sizes, and shapes through touch. Incorporate sorting games with defined bins labeled “vehicles” “food”, and “animals”. Sing the alphabet or count the stairs climbed each day. Exposure across contexts cements lessons for real retention at this age versus rigid drilling alone.

Make Time for One-on-One Connection

Among the daily hustle, carve out pockets of time for laughter, cuddles, and mutual focus between parent and toddler daily. Even 5-10 minutes of rolling a ball back and forth, reading a storybook one-on-one, or taking a walk together can fill your toddler’s cup before bed.

Without constant demands competing for your attention, they will open up about their world. Prioritize special play dates like at the zoo, park, or library too when possible. Fully engage rather than just supervise. The unconditional love shared during play fuels their self-worth for a lifetime

Stay Confident in Your Parenting Journey

Some days parenting a busy toddler feels like a marathon, other times a steep climb! But billions have navigated this path before you. Each child navigates the many milestones differently across a wide spectrum of “normal”.

Avoid comparing parenting journeys or getting tangled in worries. Instead, follow your child’s unique cues and blossoming interests. Trust your intuition, seek a supportive community when unsure, celebrate the small wins, and cast the setbacks as learning opportunities…for both child and still-learning parent! Laughter smoothes all bumps ahead. Your dedication now plants seeds enriching their tomorrow.