The
toddler
phase in a
child's life
can be
sharply
marked by an
increasing
need to
assert its
independence.
This will be
a time
fraught with
challenges
for you, as
you try to
support your
toddlers'
impulses to
explore his
environment,
while also
safeguarding
them from
any harm.
If the
battle to
assert your
authority
may
sometimes
lead to
frayed
nerves or
tempers on
your part,
be sure that
you will
also be
rewarded by
the
development
of a new and
complex
level of
interaction
between your
child and
yourself.
The toddler
phase can
indeed be
very
demanding,
especially
at the
initial
stage of the
phase.
Here are
some ways in
which you
can
encourage
and extend
your support
during this
difficult
and yet
essential
and
interesting
phase in
your child's
life:
- Let
your
toddlers
explore
within a
limit:
It is
the
parent's
task to
set
acceptable
limits
and as
long as
your
toddlers
do not
cross
those
limits,
allow
complete
freedom
to
explore.
Your
toddlers
will
learn to
appreciate
this and
broaden
their
horizons
through
the use
of their
newfound
curiosities.
-
Honor
and
appreciate
the
choices
made by
your
toddler
as long
as they
do not
harm
anyone.
- Be
calm and
composed:
Do not
get
irritated
by your
toddler's
tendency
to
refuse
or
rebel.
This is
actually
a good
sign to
tell you
that
your
toddler
is
developing
a mind
of his
or her
own.
- Do
not
neglect
your
toddler's
urge to
play:
Get your
child
various
types of
games
appropriate
for a
toddler's
age.
Your
toddlers
will
learn
important
things
in the
process
of
enjoying
the
games
such as
eye-hand
coordination,
an
understanding
of
logical
sequences
in
events
etc.
