• Establish routines and schedules to create structure and consistency in your toddler’s life.
• Use positive discipline techniques to build self-esteem and promote healthy behavior choices in children.
• Allow for exploration and imagination to support development and expression without judgment.
• Create quality time to talk about feelings, teach social skills, and practice problem-solving.
• Prevent accidents by using fencing, covering outlets, keeping hazardous objects away, and securing furniture and appliances.
Having a toddler in your home can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences ever. It also requires understanding and patience while laying the foundation for children as they grow into adulthood. As parents, you must know some critical things about toddlers to ensure we provide them with the best environment and guidance possible.
Things to Know When Having a Toddler in Your Home
Taking care of your toddler can be challenging, but you’ll develop a knack for it over time. Here are some things you need to know when having a toddler in your household.
Establish Routines and Schedules
One of the most important things to remember is that toddlers thrive on routines and schedules, so setting times for meals, naps, playtime, and bedtime will help create structure and consistency in their lives. This helps them understand expectations and feel secure knowing what comes next throughout their day. Additionally, having a routine will help them learn to manage their emotions better since they’ll understand when something will come or go away (i.e., snack time).
Use Positive Discipline Techniques
Positive discipline involves setting expectations while encouraging rather than punishing or discouraging your child if they do not meet those expectations. This could involve redirecting behaviors instead of yelling “no!” or using natural consequences like losing out on playtime if they throw a tantrum instead of listening to you.
Positive discipline techniques have been proven to build self-esteem and promote healthy behavior choices in children long-term rather than just making them follow the rules out of fear of punishment or disapproval from adults.
Allow for Exploration & Imagination
Toddlers are naturally curious, so people must allow them opportunities for exploration and imagination whenever possible.
For instance, creating an area with blocks and other toys can encourage skills such as problem-solving and hand-eye coordination, or using dress-up clothes can promote creativity in young minds who often view themselves as superheroes or princesses!
Allowing this exploration will also help support their development while allowing them to express themselves without judgment from adults -– which all children need at this age!
Create Quality Time Together
While routines are essential, it’s also vital that we make time for quality bonding with our toddlers, whether it be reading books together before bedtime or playing games during the day. These activities allow families to talk about feelings/emotions, teach social skills/ethics, and practice problem-solving/creative thinking over time. It’s a great thing to do whenever you have the time for it.
Preventing Accidents
Lastly, you must do your best to prevent accidents in your household. It’s estimated that more than 7,000 children die due to accidents annually. Here are ways you can protect your toddler from accidents in your home.
Fencing
Toddlers love roaming, so fencing in the area can help contain them and keep them from running off into danger. It’s good to install robust fencing in your backyard like the ones from Trex Fencing – SRF. They can help reduce the risk of a toddler running off and protect them from potential accidents.
Cover Outlets
There’s a good chance that your toddler might be curious about the outlets in your home. To be safe, you should always use plastic outlet covers to prevent any potential electric shock or fire hazard from happening.
Keep Hazardous Objects Away
Toddlers enjoy exploring and touching different objects, so keeping any hazardous items away from their reach is always best. This could include anything from a sharp knife while cooking in the kitchen or medications stored in the bathroom cabinet.
Secure Furniture and Appliances
You should also secure furniture and appliances to the wall, as most can easily topple over. Also, keep heavy objects out of reach from your toddler as they may unintentionally hurt themselves with them.
Having a toddler in your home can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it comes with a lot of responsibility. It’s essential to know these things when having a toddler in your household so you can provide them with the best environment and guidance possible. Doing these things will help ensure that your toddler has a safe, happy, and secure home to grow up in.
