15 Happy Toddler Toddler Tips

Raising a healthy and happy toddler is a challenge for all parents. They don’t come with instructions and every toddler is different and every parent has their own style. However, there are basic things that should be taught and expressed to your little one that will help them become all that God designed them to be!  Note: I use “him” in these tips, however, they are for both boys and girls. :)

Below are 15 tips for raising a well-adjusted, healthy and happy toddler…

1. Love and Security
All kids need love and security from their parents. Show your love. Be there for them whenever they need you, listen to them, and answer their questions. Treat others in the household with love and respect. When you provide a stable, loving, caring and supportive environment, this will foster a positive and emotionally sound toddler.

2. Be Consistent in Discipline
With love, there also comes discipline. Disciplining sets boundaries for your toddler and it teaches him right from wrong. Being consistent reinforces the action that it isn’t acceptable with what he’s doing and it needs to stop.

3. Praise
For a toddler, accomplishing a task is huge because at this stage they are exploring and figuring out how things work. Giving praise boosts their confidence and encourages them to keep trying new things and learning.

4. Be a Good Role Model
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree means you’re either setting a good or bad example to your kids. Have you ever caught your child mimicking you? Yep, they’re listening with their ears and eyes wide opened.

5. Teach Them
You can’t turn on the TV, put your little one in front of it, and expect it to teach them what life lessons are. Playing and exploring are another way of teaching your toddler about every day things.

6. Independence
You have to allow your child to make mistakes, let them roam and discover new things. When you stifle them and do everything for them, then they’ll always expect people to do things for them.

7. Toddler’s Responsibilities
You may think a toddler shouldn’t have responsibilities because they are far too young to understand. You can teach them to put away his toys before bedtime. You can teach him to pick up his blanket off the floor and to put it on a chair when he doesn’t need it. These small things teaches him how to be responsible and how to care for his belongings.

8. Rules and Expectations
Rules and expectations will help your little darling know what’s expected from him. Be mindful you can’t expect a lot from your toddler–so be reasonable. For example, potty training before they are ready will cause rebellion and he may start showing problematic behavior. Rules are put in place as a guide for his safety and overall well-being.

9. Positive Language
It’s better to hear positive language than negative language in a household. Positive words are more pleasant to hear and your toddler will respond better towards positive words.

10. Play Time
Encourage a lot of play time. When your toddler plays, he learns and it’s good for his physical and mental well-being.

11. Interaction
Your toddler grows quickly in this time so spend as much time as possible with him.

12. Avoid Coddling/Spoiling
You can tell your parents to not spoil your child, but it doesn’t mean they’ll agree or listen. You can control what you do and coddling or spoiling your child will make them think they don’t have to work for anything and they’ll always get what they want. Please note, I am not talking about hugs, kisses and affection. I am speaking of avoiding discipline and giving in to their every whim. That is the kind of coddling/spoiling I am referring to.

13. Structure
Toddlers like… need structure. This provides security, predictability and a routine wherever they are.

14. Guidance
Toddlers cannot raise themselves. They need guidance now and then to steer them in the right direction.

15. Encouragement
Toddlers need encouragement to do things out of their comfort zone. They are growing and learning new things and sometimes getting there is a challenge for them. A helping hand to navigate through some obstacles will give them a reason to push forward and not give up.

Moms of toddlers know that this is a wonderful time with their kids. It can also be a bit stressful as we train them how to be well balanced and disciplined adults. It all starts in toddler-hood. However, it can be done well with patient endurance and consistency!

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (amp)

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved