Meeting the Social-Emotional Needs of

Toddlers

The toddler years are similar to the teen years because they are

considered

TRANSITION STAGES

Toddlers are working to be separate persons.

They are caught between doing things on their own and having assistance from adults.

Toddlers lack SELF-RESTRAINT

They cannot control themselves and because they don’t know all the rules for acceptable behavior, it is up to the adult to SET LIMITS.

BALANCING SELF-ASSERTION AND OBEDIENCE

SELF-ASSERTION =

OBEDIENCE =

Meet the toddler’s needs, each has unique needs

Toddlers Need to Feel Love

From caring adults, that is shown physically and directly.

They respond positively to hugs, smiles, times when

attention is focused on them

Toddlers need to feel loveable

Incorrect behavior should be labeled a mistake – not the child was bad

Being called naughty or bad, causes poor self-concept because it is the behavior that was

inappropriate not the child

Toddlers need RespectTeasing or anger is hurtful to the

toddler,

Toddlers deserve respect just as any one and showing respect helps them develop positive relationships

Toddlers need understanding and patient

guidanceSome freedom

Some opportunity for decision making

Limits set – repeatedly as they won’t be able to transfer them from one experience to the next

Toddlers Need Consistency

• May need flexibility in limits

• But need limits and rules

• They require schedules and set boundaries

Problem Toddler Emotions

• Contrariness

• Temper Tantrums

• Fears & Anxiety

ContrarinessOpposition

- Give opportunity for choices

- Prepare them for upcoming activities or events that are different from normal routines

- Ignore “No”

- Remain calm

Temper Tantrums

When and why do they occur?

What to do?

- avoid demands of the child when they are tired

• avoid demands of the child when they are tired

• Make requests in a positive way and offer to help

• Remove toys that maybe frustrating to the child

• Have opportunities to avoid boredom

• Offer help before they become frustrated

• Give in on small demands – pick your battles (everyone needs to win sometime)

• Praise when in control and when they have appropriate behavior

• Recognize some tantrums are for attention – so ignore them

Fears and AnxietyReducing Overcoming

Developing a Toddler’s Self-Awareness

Self-awareness grows mainly from the toddler’s daily contact with their world.

Although self-awareness is continuous throughout life, its roots are in the toddler stage.

Activities to enhance Self-Awareness

• Place their photos around house.• Talk about how they have grown and

their importance in the family.• Measure height and keep chart visible• Name parts of face• Allow to play dress ups• Pretend daily activities