As parents, we want to do so much for our kids. We want them to have a life that is full of pampering and comfort, but we don’t want them to get spoiled. We want our kids to become expressive and vocal about their thoughts, but we don’t want them to throw tantrums!
Thus, when it comes to how to handle kids, there is no one correct answer. The magic lies in the efforts of parenting. As each child is unique, their upbringing would be personalised according to multiple factors.
However, thanks to research over the years, today we have a set of parenting skills, rules, tips, and techniques, by which we can learn about how to handle children's bad behavior, and how to handle children's emotions. This way we can nurture our kids in a better way and prepare them to become disciplined and emotionally developed individuals in the future.
Why Discipline and Emotions Matter for Toddlers
Toddlers are in a stage of life when they are beginning to explore different emotions and reactions. However, they still do not know how to channelise these emotions and express their feelings. Therefore, because of these overwhelming emotions, sometimes toddlers tend to become irritated and undisciplined.
In such cases, if you wonder about how to handle angry kid or what is the way to discipline my child, then you can practise:
- Setting boundaries
- Establishing a routine
- Consistent communication
Thus, when your dear toddler learns about building sensitivity, empathy, confidence, and self control, they would become more disciplined and emotionally developed. Furthermore, programs like Mom & I, which is a mother-toddler program by the house of Mother’s Pride, helps in transforming toddlers into more well-rounded individuals.
Setting Simple Rules: How to Start Teaching Your Toddler Right and Wrong
Toddlers are cute little bundles of joy, and well, at times are quite naughty too! But to our surprise they have a wonderful learning power. Thus, if we teach them the rights and wrongs in a way that their mind can absorb, then they will cooperate with us.
When trying to make your toddler understand your point, always remember to:
- Use simple and clear language that your child understands.
- Come down at their eye level while speaking to your child.
- Stay consistent with your rules, this establishes clarity of expectations in your kid’s mind.
- Strike the balance between firmness and gentleness as kids need both during their early childhood years.
Praising Good Behavior: How Compliments Help Toddlers Learn
It is believed that the biggest form of motivation for an individual is appreciation. The encouragement one gets at every stage of their lives because of compliments they receive, is beyond measurement. This applies to toddlers too.
Here are some ways by which you can handle children and give them emotional support:
- Be specific in your praises. For example, “Hey! It is lovely that you shared a toy with your elder sister!” This way your child will be encouraged to repeat similar actions in future.
- Celebrate every small win of your child. Even if it is a developmental milestone or completion of a nursery rhyme, your child deserves appreciation and your praises to the fullest.
Showing Calm and Kindness: How Moms Can Teach Through Actions
Let us admit, when someone says, “Stay calm!”, then we feel that it is easier said than done. Similarly, we cannot just say “Stay calm” to our kids when they are throwing tantrums or disobeying us. Children follow what they see. Therefore, it is necessary that as loving mothers, we lead by example.
Here are some tips that would help you in instilling calmness in your kids:
- Maintain your calm composure when your toddler is throwing tantrums. They learn by watching you. Therefore, when they would see you in a calm demeanor, they would begin to gradually imitate you.
- Always choose your words carefully, especially in front of your toddlers. Gentle words and actions have a far greater positive impact on your kids as opposed to words that show strictness.
- Additionally, words of affection and reassurance would help you handle kids with care in their emotional moments. This will make them feel belonged, loved and valued.
Listening to Your Toddler: Understanding Their Feelings
Toddlers may be unclear when it comes to expressing their thoughts and feelings through the medium of words. However, their gestures, expressions, and tone, are all behavioural cues that would help you know what goes behind their mind.
Here are some ways by which you can practise active listening to understand your toddler, and inturn, make them understand your points.
- Use simple words to acknowledge their feelings. For example, “I see you are upset”. When children feel validated about their emotions, they open up more.
- Encourage your child to speak up about their emotions by asking questions such as “How does it make you feel?”
- Teach your kids about different emotions through storytelling or pretend play. Child development programs like Mom & I, by Mother’s Pride, Punjabi Bagh, have incorporated these activities in their curriculum, thus imparting knowledge to children about different emotions in a playful manner.
Keeping a Routine: Why It Helps Toddlers Feel Safe and Happy
Setting a routine for your toddler would help in managing their discipline and emotions. Thus, when you ponder over how to handle kids or how to deal with child behaviour problems, then you can set up their routine such as bath time, mother-toddler playschool time, meal time, sleep time, and likewise.
Here is how you can treat children’s discipline by regulating their routine:
- Having fixed times for meals, play, and sleep helps your toddler know what comes next, reducing uncertainty and meltdowns.
- Simple tasks like tidying toys after playtime become part of their routine, teaching responsibility in a fun way.
- Structured routines make it easier for toddlers to switch from one activity to another without resistance.
Time-Outs and Quiet Time: Helping Your Toddler Calm Down
Short breaks are extremely important in the routine of a toddler. This is especially true when you wonder about how to tackle a child who won’t listen. This acts like a pause button where your little one can relax, process their emotions, and experience calmness.
Here is how time-outs and quiet moments can be a saviour in your parenting journey:
- Quiet time is an opportunity to introduce soothing activities like looking at picture books, listening to soft music, or cuddling their favorite toy.
- These moments help your toddler learn self-soothing skills and understand that it's okay to take a break when emotions feel too big.
- With your gentle guidance, time-outs and quiet time can become valuable steps in building emotional awareness and resilience in your little one.
Showing Empathy: How to Connect with Your Toddler’s Feelings
One of the ways to treat hyperactivity and overwhelming emotions in children is by showing empathy to them. When you connect with your child on an emotional level and show them that you understand their feelings, they feel more safe.
Here are some ideas on showing empathy:
- Help your toddler learn to identify and name their emotions. For example, “You’re feeling happy because your favourite song is playing.”
- After acknowledging their feelings, offer comfort. Hold their hand, give them a hug, or simply sit with them for a moment to provide a sense of safety and support.
- Guide your toddler to solve their own emotional challenges. For example, “I see you’re upset about sharing your toy. How can we take turns?” This encourages emotional regulation.
How Mom & I Can Help You Handle Small Kids
At Mom & I, we understand that handling your little one’s behavior can feel overwhelming at times. That is why we are here to guide you through this precious journey with love and patience. Through our carefully designed activities, we help you understand your child’s emotions and teach gentle ways to encourage positive behavior. Whether it’s learning routines, managing meltdowns, or boosting emotional growth, we are by your side every step of the way. Together, let’s create a happy, disciplined, and emotionally strong foundation for your toddler. Come join Mom & I and see the difference it can make in both your lives!
Frequently Asked Questions
Maintain your calm and remember that discipline is not the same as punishment. You can set limits gradually and consistently, while being specific of your expectations. Moreover, stay positive and patient with your child.
Yes, it is common that sometimes toddlers do not listen to their parents. Toddlers learn through experiences. They do not consciously decide whether to listen or not. Therefore, you can reward them with a positive outcome whenever they cooperate with you or listen to you. This way they will be encouraged to listen to you often.
Gentle parenting style is a way to raise and nurture kids while prioritizing connection, empathy, respect, validation, and positive discipline. It emphasizes the importance of fostering a safe environment that meets children's emotional needs while also providing clear and consistent boundaries.
When your child becomes 9 to 10 months old, they become more receptive to new learning. So this is a good time to teach small words such as Mamma, Papa, No, Hot, and likewise. The kid will begin to resonate these words with their references and will start remembering them.
You can emotionally support your dear little one by focusing on their positive things. This implies encouraging them, celebrating small wins and joys, engaging in bonding activities together with them, and actively listening to them.