Toddler Parenting Tips

How do you get through the day?

Well, it works best by implementing some playful parenting techniques. Toddlers need to have fun, so make each activity you have to do enjoyable. This page will give you some ideas to get you started.

Getting Ready

It's a wonderful opportunity to help your toddler in learning to talk. She learns to talk from hearing you and practicing the sounds, so whilst changing her nappy you can make a running commentary of what you're doing. This can both teach and entertain her.

Ask if she would like to hold the clean nappy. She will love to have a look at the pictures on the nappy. You can then talk about the picture as well as what you are doing. Here's some more ideas of how to make nappy (diaper) changing fun.

Classic nursery rhymes are absolutely brilliant at helping toddlers to cooperate with daily routine activities! Once you know some they can make toddler parenting so much easier.

I've found involving toddlers in the dressing process is the first step towards independence. This also helps self-esteem and promotes problem solving. Your toddler will be thrilled to have a say into what he wears.

If your toddler has easy access to some of his clothes, you could ask him to find his shoes. Maybe he could pick out a vest, pyjamas or some socks, anything that doesn't matter which one he wears. If you need to have more control over what he is wearing, you can give him a choice of two items.

Share your ideas for encouraging toddler cooperation

Chores

Your toddler may love to fold wash clothes, sweep the floor or wipe the table. There is so much scope for learning and real life lessons and skills to be had doing routine daily activities. This is what toddler parenting is all about. When your toddler is helping you with the chores around the house and garden (yard) it keeps her close to you and safe. Make the most of her willingness to help - it won't last long. :-)

What about chores we do out and about when tots have to tag along? Check out our travel activities for kids and especially toddlers. They can help little ones sit still anywhere while waiting for anything (in a traffic jam, a restaurant, at the doctors or hairdressers... the list is endless).

Playful parenting is the process of creating fun out of ordinary activities. Why not make pairing socks a game? This is a matching activity for your toddler that helps you too. You can also compare the different sizes, colours and patterns of the socks. Older toddlers could be taught how to categorise them in different ways.

Yes, you can get these chores done quicker by doing them yourself but what is your toddler doing while you do it? You can't leave everything to be done when he is asleep so you might as well involve him in the activity, making it both fun and educational.

While you are pegging out the washing, give your toddler a basket of pegs and encourage her to clip them to the edges. This will strengthen her hand muscles in preparation for writing later.

Some toddlers love to help fold the laundry. Even one-year-olds can fold bibs and wash cloths.

Give her a damp cloth and invite your toddler to dust or clean with you.

Parenting tip for your toddler: Be sure to wet the cloth rather than give a dry one. We have found that this works wonders. A dry one just gets thrown on the floor but when your toddler sees you wet a cloth especially for him, he will take notice, stop crying and get cleaning!

Another parenting tip for your toddler: Be very cautious when using cleaning products around your toddler especially sprays, because they are harmful for children to inhale.

What about times when having your toddler help won't work? Before you let the TV entertain your toddler, find out how TV affects toddlers' development. These easy toddlers activities and distraction tips that can help you to do the chores or have a rest while caring for your little one! You can also rest-assured knowing that your child will be learning and developing while they are enjoying these activities.

Kitchen Time

Invite your toddler to wash fruit and vegetables with you. She will love doing important work and actually be a help too. It is important to allocate time for it so it is an enjoyable task for both of you.

Toddler parenting does not mean you have to be doing things with her all the time. If you have the space in your kitchen it is great to allocate your toddler a kitchen cupboard with an unbreakable mixing bowl, rolling pin, jugs, different spoons, funnels, sieves, cookie trays, and pans etc. You could add pebbles or other items so she can play whilst you cook the meal.

If you have two full sized sinks, your toddler could stand on a chair and wash up with you, while an older toddler could help to empty the dishwasher.

Your two-year-old can begin sharing favorite cooking activities like baking cookies or fairy cakes. It's best to measure out the ingredients in small bowls/jugs and invite him to pour them into the mixing bowl. He can help with the stirring, spooning into cake cases or using cookie cutters.

Baking with young children is well worth the effort and one of the most enjoyable of the parenting activities. It creates wonderful memories... and helps with fussy eaters. He's more likely to eat the food he has prepared!

Find some healthy recipes your toddler can help cook.

Bedtime Routine

What do you do when he does not want to go to bed? Give him choices - Which story do you want? Do you want to brush teeth before or after the bath? Claire's had amazing results with this method when babysitting. Parents have been amazed!

Click here for a step-by-step guide to a fun bedtime routine!

And We Haven't Finished Yet!

So isn't toddler parenting a bit exhausting?

Well, remember you don't need to fill the day with activities. Free play is very important too. Hours of play with quality toys and safe household objects teach young children many skills they will need in life - not least how to entertain himself.

So, phew, take some time to have a little rest with a cup of your favourite beverage and then you will be able to engage in more playful parenting when he gets bored with those toys.

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Does your child have (or may have) special needs? If so, Judson gives loads of friendly and useful information regarding parenting a child with special needs at Raising Special Kids.