Toddler care: A guide to parenting toddlers

Toddler care: A guide to parenting toddlers

Definition of a toddler:

Who is a toddler? What age kids are categorised in the toddler group?

A toddler is a kid in the age group of 1-3 years.  It is a period of advanced growth and development of the baby during which the social, cognitive and emotional components are more involved as the baby learns to express itself.  

Toddler period is the most crucial period in a kid's growth and developmental phase.  More than this, it becomes a tough job for the parents to handle the toddlers as they are now moving, crawling or walking and it is necessary to keep an eye on them to avoid any accidental injuries or mishaps. 

Before we dive into the real topic of parenting, let us have a rapid look on the outline of growth and developmental milestones of a toddler:

Growth and developmental milestones of a toddler

A toddler is a kid who has learnt by the time of 12 months to sit and crawl and walk with support, or even without support but with a toddling gait, which makes them walk unsteadily and eventually fall down after walking few steps. 

"To toddle" means an unsteady gait or movement and this is how the word toddler is formed, meaning a child walking with unsteady steps and moves.

Physical development:

• A toddler's weight and height increases. This is evident on the check-up during immunization appointment.
• Teeth eruption occurs. The baby learns to chew soft foods. 
• Limbs grow and the baby learns to crawl faster and sit without support. Tries to walk, may walk unsteadily but still loves to walk. 
• The child can touch and smell, listen and understand few sentences. 
• The visual acuity increases, can understand the difference between this and that, i.e. the near and far objects.

Social development:

• A toddler may now understand the verbal instructions of the family members and express himsel/herself.
• The social development includes the acceptance and rejection, separation anxiety, etc.  develops on being left alone. 
• A toddler may actively participate in play but the play is usually parallel or solo play. 
• A toddler can be commonly seen in squat position with legs wide apart, engaged in play and without letting them bums touch the ground. Toddlers often like to play with their toys in squatting position. 
• Toddlers learn to play different toys and arrange the blocks and other puzzles. 
• They may pause for a while before getting into conversation with you. It may seem as if they are judging you for their safety.  There are trust issues specifically associated to the strangers. So the sight of strangers or unfamiliar faces may arouse anxiety and related crying or sobbing amongst the toddlers.
• Toddlers relate to their favorite things and they do not really like to share them with the siblings.
• Toddlers do have a envy or jealous feel on seeing an infant in their mama's lap. This is because they have developed the trust that she is only his/her mama and on seeing anyone on the mama's lap makes them frustrated and/or irritated.
• Toilet training begins in the toddler age. It is the most appropriate timing to start the toilet training. 
• By the completion of three years or 36 months, the toddler is almost ready to use the home toilet.  it may not be the same for other public toilets at strange places.
• Your toddler may repeat the sentences in a broken format.  

Cognitive development:

• Toddlers' cognitive ability increases. Their thinking process, language and speech, everything advances.
• Toddlers now can make out the difference between the family members and strangers.
• Toddlers learn to play more games and can hold the toys in their palms or move with their dolls/teddy bears pressing them against their body.
• They understand and speak few words almost correctly at the completion of 2 years and as they approach 3 years, they may be able to communicate using few small sentences.
• They learn to manipulate their food servings and try to feed themselves often ending up drooling or spilling the foods.
• Toddlers develop a sense of curiosity to play but lack the attention span, which is usually short and this makes them forget to cry easily.  
• They can identify the nonliving from living and feel the touch, smell and taste of the food.
• They love to listen rhymes and watch colourful imagery. 
• Toddlers start to develop self image. 

A guide to parenting toddlers: Positive tips to parent your toddler

Out of all the age groups, toddler is the most attention-seeking group and the parents need to understand about some specific points while raising their toddler such as helping them carry out some tasks on their own, establishing a positive self image and introduction to the body parts and many more. 

Raising a toddler may be the biggest challenge for the mamas but still they are the superwomen who do it with so ease, without even complaining or giving up. Now this needs the greatest applaud ever to all the women out there.  They are just nailing it. They are no less than a magician.  

But how about helping them a little?

Isn't it a great idea?

Well! I am no expert in all this, but still I have accumulated this bunchful of information from my trustworthy resources just to furnish you, 'the mamas around the globe', with the fabulous information that you know you really need!

These are the most useful and powerful tips that will empower you with the best knowledge to aid you in raising your naughty-yet-lovely toddlers.

Let us get to start:

PARENTING TIPS TO GUIDE YOU WHILE PARENTING YOUR TODDLER:

Parenting is the toughest task and I believe it is a great work done by the parents. The support of family members also play an important role in shaping out the toddler's personality. 

1. Tips to parenting your Toddler's basic needs : 

• Feeding habits: A toddler is a child who can now like to hold spoon and feed himself.  Do not get irritated with this.  Buy some soft small spoons and bowls for them and let them try to feed themselves. Encourage them by showing how to do.  Believe me, toddlers are far better imitators and they would try to imitate you exactly.  If you have older children, a toddler tends to grab in every behaviour quickly and easily.  Sibling support and love helps toddler grow fast.
• Bathing aid: Let them try to wipe off their face with small napkin after face wash. Not allowing may lead to crying. Explain them the steps to do something and stay with them till they finish it.
• Toilet training: Toddlers must learn to sit on the  baby commode at the completion of 2 years. Encourage them to sit while you keep them entertained with smiles and talks and or singing songs. Do not respond negatively at the time of baby pooping or farts. Instead tell them how it happens. 
• Bed-wetting: Toddlers do not have voluntary contol over the bladder and so they may bedwet.  Try to make them pee just before bed and even in sleep after one or two hours. This empties the bladder and the children can sleep free from bed-wetting. Some also recommend decreasing the fluid intake after 6 pm in the evening, if bed-wetting is seen more. While bedwetting may not be seen in all kids, it is still a normal thing till 3 years.  You as a parent need to reinforce positive environment to avoid your toddlers anxiety or apprehension related to it. 

2. Tips to parenting a Toddler's Behavior needs:

• Toddler temper tantrums: How to handle toddler tantrums, is the most commonly asked question of almost every other couple, especially those with first child.  Toddler tantrums are seen less in toddlers having elder siblings.  However, this cannot be said for the later either.  Every case may vary.
• Understand your child's behaviour. Please note every child has different behaviour pattern and every child is unique on his own.  Enforce positive behaviours. Tell them what to do, what not to do. Toddlers are good learners.  
• Emotional outbursts and meltdowns are a common way to express frustration and they must not be handled with strictness or punitive approach. This only worsens the situation and the tantrums of your child may end up to more grave problems. 
• Do not shout on an agitated and angry child in tantrums. They would imitate their parents' behavoiur and the situation will not be handled then. 
• Give your toddlers timeout their tantrum by allowing them to turn calm and peaceful. 
• Parents need to be quiet and supporting their kids emotionally rather tan verbally, it makes them feel more secure.  A gentle pat on the back or a kiss or warm hugs after you think your toddler is coming down the agitated level helps a lot. 
• Talk with your toddler about the tantrum reason and listen them. Most kids feel they are ignored and this makes them frustrated. Give them your parents' time. 
• Avoid any kind of tantrum triggers.  Keep your toddler away from any temptation that leads to trigger, it may be some food or toy or some behaviour of yours. 

3. Tips to parenting a Toddler's Sleep needs:

• Toddlers have their sleep pattern so biologically managed that they would need sleep at exact the same hours a day at same time. 
• You as a parent need to adjust your routine according to your baby's sleep pattern so that when it is the time for your child to sleep, you are available free for him/her and they see you sitting next to them. They love watching you by their side. Many toddlers go fussy crying when they want to sleep but could not find their mama by their side. This also can lead to temper tantrum.
• They wish to now accustom their favorite toys and bedsheets while sleeping and you as a parent need to keep them ready. Be it a puppy or a teddy bear soft toy, or the velvet baby blanket, kids love to call them their favorite and do not like the sharing.  Keep it ready before bedding.
• On waking up a toddler may cry searching for his mother and this must be managed by immediately responding with a sweet smile and good morning or hello love or whatever nickname your child is habituated to listen from you. This makes them too happy and you can avoid temper tantrum.

4. Tips to parenting a Toddler's Physical activity/Play needs:

• Play is the crucial part in toddler care. Incorporate variety of play ideas and allow them to express their connection with their play items.
• Toddlers love to play parallel.  As a loving mother, be a companion and play along. Build up a block tower and see how your child imitates the play. 
• Talk about the toys, colors, different puzzles and how to play with them.
• Spare at least two hours a day for playing with your toddlers. Toys are far better than mobile. Let them play with the toys.  It enhances the cognitive abilities and boosts up the development of brain. 
• Ask your siblings to let their baby brother/sister play with them. Instruct them to be calm and soft while doing so. Tell them not to snatch away their little brother/sister's toy.  instead ask them to play alongside.

5. Tips to parenting a Toddler's self image building:

• Toddlers now understand that they are a living entity and they can understand the gross difference between the living and non living things. Give them more understanding about these topics. 
• They like to see their image in the mirror and smile on the reflection. Encourage them and praise them when they get ready, like may be sprinkling some talcum powder on their face for some day-out. 
• They may like to dress up on their own.  If so, ask them to pull up the socks or pants. Ask your child what he wants to wear. Let them select their dress, color and the pair of shoes they want to put on. Responding negatively to their choice may disappoint them or make them feel offended, sometimes, leading to temper tantrums. 
• Establish a positive image. Praising on doing things like self care, play or trying to feed. 
• 'Motivate your child to understand self-image and importance. Please try not to compare their abilities with your other kids. This is the most common and serious mistake done by almost every other parent on our planet. Please, please please understand your child is unique of its own kind. Let them grow positively, beautifully at self-pace and do not try to judge or compare their capabilities. 
• If they are wrong give them suitable examples as to how they are wrong, instead of shouting or mentioning them as useless or idiot or any thing that can hurt their self image. 
• Introduce your child to other children in a positive way and let them learn the general behviour and manners. Teach them good manners at home and try them to apply when with friends or relatives. Please, hello, sorry and thank you are the terms you need to make them familiar with in a gentle way. Do not harshly force upon them. Let them understand the importance of good habits and good manners. 

So this was all about toddler care and a quick yet awesome guide for all the parents to effectively raise their toddler without any difficulty.

Happy parenting to all mommies.

Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case.