How to Discipline a Toddler
By MyQTBB
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. 8 Ways to Handling Your Toddler(s)
3. Conclusion
Introduction
Children are like the sunshine that lights up
every family’s home. However, we cannot also
ignore the fact that raising toddlers, is no easy
thing.
The term “toddler,” pertains to children from
age 1 to 3 years old. The toddler stage is said
to be crucial, because this is where the child’s
mental, emotional and social development are at
an extreme.
How to discipline a toddler? This ebook wants
to convey the true essence of child discipline
and the appropriate manners in which a parent
can raise his or her child in and outside their
homes without compromising the overall safety
of the child as a human being deserving of love
and nurturing.
8 Ways to Handling Your Toddler(s)
1. Show Your Love
Developmental psychologist Aletha Solter said
that “discipline works best when it’s firm but fair
and when you have a warm and loving
relationship with your child.”
Firstly, you can try acknowledging your child’s
feeling. Acknowledging your child’s feelings
does not make you a permissive parent. As
parents, we don’t really need to ‘agree’ with his
feelings, but at least we must ‘acknowledge’
them. This way, you are letting your child feel
that he is being listened to.
What about getting a
wall easel for your
little artist here?
For example, your child is scribbling on the wall
of your house. As a parent, you will probably be
furious to see that. But, even though you do not
‘agree’ with your child’s feelings and actions at
the moment, you may say to him, “I see you
really have fun scribbling on the wall, but walls
are not the best places for scribbling. Why not do
it on a paper, too?” Afterwards, you can offer him
some papers. Remember, young children have
shorter attention spans on something and when
you offer him another option, he will likely accept
it very quickly.
A warm hug or kiss can do wonders. Every
time after reprimanding your child, you don’t
forget to give him or her a warm hug, as well as
an assurance of how much you love him/her.
2. Lead By Example
‘Leading by example’ can be a way to train our
children to do things in certain ways that we
want them to follow. Toddlers are at the stage
where they like to mimic.
Amanda, 35, has shared how she used to have
difficulties getting her 2-year-old son to drink
water. She had to always use new methods to
make him drink and one effective way she
adopted was to give him a small cup of water.
The cup was small enough to be held with his
small palm, but he refused to drink. What she did
was to get herself a cup of water, drink in front of
her son and acted as if the water was so nice in
taste. Her son ended up drinking and finishing
the cup of water.
3. Explain in Patience
Your child wants to know how the way you
ask him to do something affects him. For
instance, if your child is throwing his toy on the
floor, instead of telling him “you will scratch the
floor, or you will spoil the toys,” try to say
something like “you can’t play with it anymore as
the toy will be spoiled if you throw it this way.”
Besides, you can try describe the problem to
your child. Instead of saying, “please tidy up
your toys,” you may address the problem by
telling your child, “your toys are scattering on the
floors; mummy has no space to walk through.”
Sometimes, it may be challenging to get our
children to obey our instructions. Yet, if you allow
him some freedom to choose or decide for
himself, the problem might be resolved. Giving
options is part of the training in your child’s
development.
For example, instead of asking your toddler
whether he wants to sleep, why not provide him
some options that are on par with what you
want? You can hold his pillow and ask him
whether he would like to sleep on his cot or on
your bed. You can actually act together with
body language by taking his pillow in your hand
and placing it on his cot when you mention the
cot, and then on your bed next.
4. Let Your Child Experience the
Consequences
Do you need a toy storage
organizer? Get it here.
If your child misbehaves in certain situations,
perhaps you can let them feel the outcomes of
their actions. For example, if your toddler never
puts his toys back in the box and just lets them
scattered, perhaps you may not let him play with
his toys for a day or two and just keep his toy
box out of his reach. Of course, you must explain
carefully to your tot the reason why he can’t play
with his toys, until he learns to pick up his toys
before going to bed.
5. The Distraction Trick
Toddlers have the propensities to easily get
swayed or distracted. Use this tendency to your
advantage, especially if your child is on the
verge of throwing tantrums or defying what you
ask for. Do this trick in a fun and funny way. You
need to make your tot laugh and feel happy
and remember that laughter is the best
medicine, even for “fits of rage.”
One time, Michelle, 29, had a challenge with her
2-year-old son Mathew who refused to take a
bath. It can be pretty hard to find out exactly the
reasons why children, especially toddlers,
behave this way when their vocabularies are still
limited.
Your child may like this
bath toy?
Get it here.
In Michelle’s case, it struck her mind that her son
likes his ‘fire-truck’ toy very much and so she
brought along the fire-truck toy to the bathroom.
There was a container of stuff at the back of the
fire truck, so she filled it with water and showed
her son how he could put water together with his
favorite fire-truck in the bathroom. Little Mathew
seemed to forget about his unwillingness to take
a bath and allowed his mommy take off his
clothes.
6. Shrug It Off
This particular strategy works when the tantrums
are not done in public or the child is just being
stubborn about getting what he wants. This is
actually related to parents’ firmness about their
decision. Sometimes, you just need to let your
child know that they cannot always get what
they want. As long as he is not harming himself
or anyone, ignore the tantrums until he gets the
message. If he keeps crying and whining, let him
be till he is finished.
If the tantrum is done in a public place, it would
be helpful if you take him to a safe and quiet
place away from the public so he can have
enough time to cool down, as well as avoid
disrupting others, perhaps in your car or
somewhere that is not so crowded. Peaceful
spots in the park, for instance, can be a good
place so you can talk to your child and attend to
his needs properly. But do remember NOT to
leave him alone, as abduction cases nowadays
happen anywhere. While we have heard of some
parents leaving their child in tantrums alone in a
public place and just observing the child from a
distance, it is still pretty dangerous and
something that parenting experts discourage
parents from doing. Aside from that, you can hurt
your child’s feelings, as he might feel that he is
being abandoned.
7. Make Sure Their Basic Needs
Are Fulfilled
Do you need a portable
toddler cot for outing?
Get it here.
As parents, we are responsible for ensuring that
our children’s basic needs are always
fulfilled. Stressful scenarios, such as when the
child feels tired, sleepy or hungry, are common
causes of tantrums and the reasons they behave
in ways that parents will be mad at. Therefore, if
you plan on going out with your toddler, you
must prepare your gears to address these
potential occurrences. Make sure you bring
along with you your child’s favorite snack in case
he gets hungry, a toy, or anything that offers him
comfort. Furthermore, it is not advised to take
your child out when he is tired or sleepy.
8. The Power of Compliment
Compliments allow a kid to feel appreciated
and valued. Honest and constant praises are
some of the secrets to settle down an angry
child. As parents, we must show sincere
appreciation and interest in our children and their
accomplishments, no matter how small they may
be. A simple “good boy, you have done a great
job!” can easily make a little child feel happy and
proud of themselves.
However, aside from compliments, parents
must also be honest in pointing out their
child’s blunders, but in a constructive and
encouraging way.
Conclusion
No more yelling, no
more nagging, or
losing control.
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