Meanwhile, don’t worry too much, since many toddlers exhibit precocious opposition. The key is to help your child learn to control her defiance now. If you succeed, you might just steer clear of the “terrible twos”—or at least make them a little less terrible.
Tot Tamers from Lawrence Balter, PhD
Helpful do’s and don’ts for when your child acts up:
- Do model good behavior. Show your child what you expect by acting respectfully yourself and, say, putting away your things when you’re done with them.
- Don’t punish a bad deed with another, like pinching your child to show him how it feels after he pinches his sister. Better to teach the right thing (“We use our hands gently, like this”). Nor should you humiliate or belittle him.
- Do provide praise. Let him know you notice when he follows directions. Positive feedback goes a long way toward cultivating positive behavior.
By Julie Trescott for Working Mother magazine
