• Knowledgebase: First Time Parenting 101

    Information for first time parents

    5. How can I help my toddler behave? - Top

    Start BEFORE he is a toddler.

    Establish daily routines- wake up, have breakfast, get dressed. Set a quiet time or nap time in the afternoon. Eat dinner. Wash up. Get in his pajamas. Read a book. Brush his teeth. Put him to bed.

    Routines help your toddler by allowing him to predict what is going to happen next. If a child has a rational, predictible framework to build upon, he will generally behave better.

    Be consistent. Rules should be the same every time, regarless of who is in charge- mom, dad, or grandma. If one caregiver lets him "get away with things" then everyones authority is diminshed.

    Do not confuse curiosity for being bad. A toddler is very curious- they really want to learn and explore new things. Give them the opportuntity to do so safely.

    Toddlers hear "NO!" a lot. Don't forget to reward them when they do something right. Talk positively about them to other adults, in front of them. Help them to start developing their self-esteem by showing them that they are important to you. - Updated: October 23, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP