Toddlers are children between 18 months and 3 years old. This is a time of rapid emotional and physical change, and it brings on feelings of independence for your child as she toddles around your home examining every object. Anticipate your toddler will learn to say "No!" and exhibit rebellious behavior. Manage acting out by providing consistency and exhibiting patience.
Routine
Maintaining a predictable routine with your toddler can be an effective discipline strategy, according to Sandra J. Bailey, Ph.D., a Family and Human Development Specialist with the Montana State University Extension. Create your schedule around the needs of your toddler. Bailey suggests avoiding potentially troublesome situations, such as running errands when your toddler is tired or hungry.
Distractions and Reprimands
Toddlers misbehave a lot. According to a study by the Department of Psychology at State University of New York at Stony Brook, disciplinary episodes with your toddler can occur as frequently as once every three to nine minutes, and once every 0.8 minutes when he is away from home. The mothers studied used a disciplinary strategy of either distraction followed by reprimands, or reprimands followed by distraction. The study concluded the initial use of reprimands followed by distractions was significantly more effective in managing the behavior of toddlers.
Tantrums
Tantrums are a common behavior problem in toddlers, according to the Colorado State University Extension. When your child has a tantrum, he might kick and scream, hold his breath or lie on the floor. This gives you a chance to teach your child some anger management strategies. Take your toddler into another room for two to five minutes to redirect his attention away from the stressful situation. Stay calm, and compliment good behavior.
Dangers
Manage the amount of damage your toddler does to herself now that she can walk, climb and explore every corner of the house. Control her behavior even when you are not looking by childproofing your home. Medline Plus, a U.S. National Institutes of Health website, advises installing, "window guards, gates on stairways, cabinet locks, toilet seat locks, electric outlet covers and other safety features."
Shared Custody
If you share custody of your toddler, you might face additional problems. According to the Massachusetts Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, it is normal for toddlers to be resistant when they go from the custody of one parent to the custody of the other. Your toddler might act out by crying or clinging to one parent. Help to manage your toddler's behavior by avoiding tension and arguments during the exchange. If your custody agreement allows, it might be easier for your child if one parent drops the child off at the other parent's home. This avoids interrupting the child in the middle of an activity, and it can signifies your support for the transition.
References
- Colorado State University Extension: Children's Anger and Tantrums
- Psychology Department at SUNY Stony Brook: Effects of Maternal Distraction and Reprimands
- Montana State University Extension: Discipline: A Parent's Guide for Infants and Toddlers
- Massachusetts Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: Planning for Shared Parenting
- MedlinePlus: Toddler Development
