Acknowledgements - gapitc

Your child will feel secure if schedules and routines at home are similar day after day.
While there will always be unexpected events, following a schedule helps children
anticipate what comes next and makes them feel more in control.
Two year olds are not ready to share with much enthusiasm. When your child plays
with others, have enough high-interest toys for each child to use. If conflict over
one toy continues, distract and redirect one child to another toy or activity.
Help your child learn the words to use when she struggles with another child. For
example, if one child grabs a toy from another, tell the child who had the toy to
“Use your words to tell her to stop. Say,‘I was playing with that toy.’” Say to the
grabbing child,“Use your words to say ‘I want a turn.’” Compliment the children
when they use their words to solve conflicts.
Children are more likely to respond to adult guidance and redirection if given a
choice, such as,“Would you like to play on the slide or the swing while you wait
for the wagon?”
Hitting, biting, and crying are the typical impulsive reactions of toddlers who do
not yet have the language or social skills to get what they want. As a parent, you
can patiently teach your child to replace these impulses with more positive skills
for getting along with others.
Your child will begin to enjoy watching and copying the actions of other children
in a small group. However, she will also need time to be alone, perhaps with you
safely nearby. Provide some quiet and private spaces and some time for being away
from others.
Keep behavior rules simple and say them in a positive way, such as “Use your
words” instead of “No hitting.” Save the command,“No!” for times of danger or
destruction of property.
Remember that your child is “egocentric” and is only aware of his own immediate
needs and wants. Taking turns and following rules are skills that your child will
work on for a lifetime!
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