Karitane - Toddlers - illustration 3097747b-2150-44fd-af34-b5edc93f5842

Toddlers

Watching your toddler learn and explore the world is such a wonderful time in your life. It can also be one of the most challenging.

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As toddlers begin to mature, they’ll experience a whole range of emotions that may be difficult to manage. Relationship building is essential to recognising tantrum triggers, allowing you to step in before they occur. Your role as a parent is to support your child through all their new feelings.As your toddler continues to grow, they’ll learn how to manage new situations, problem solve, regulate their emotions, and interact with others – all by watching you. As your child’s greatest role model, your responses and reactions should be consistent, reinforcing positive pathways in their brain.

At Karitane, we respect every family’s individual culture and parenting practices. Our handy guide to understanding your toddler is an evidence-based resource you may find useful when parenting. As you help your child navigate their way through preschool, primary school and high school, it’s helpful to keep in mind that though your child is trying to gain independence, they’ll always need you for support, encouragement, boundaries and love.

Things to know about toddlers:

  • They’re still finding out how exciting the world is and how everything works
  • They’re inquisitive and curious
  • They can’t see the effects of their actions yet
  • They’re learning to regulate their emotions
  • They’re striving for independence
  • They want to try and test everything
  • They have rapid mood swings
  • They have short attention spans
  • They’ll test their limits and capabilities

A common response you may hear from your toddler is ‘no’. Though this gives the impression they won’t cooperate, it’s actually a very normal part of life. (Think negotiation, discipline, safety and rules.)

Karitane - Toddlers - illustration 01171995-441d-4a38-a6ea-1d02bc6c9bc9
 
 A quick tip

A common response you may hear from your toddler is ‘no’. Though this gives the impression they won’t cooperate, it’s actually a very normal part of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.

The addition of a new family member is a big change for everybody – including your toddler. Your toddler must learn to adjust from having you available whenever they need, to sharing you with another, more demanding person.

Before their new sibling arrives, your toddler may perceive changes in your behaviour – and misbehave more to get your attention. During the end stages of pregnancy, start talking to your toddler about the new baby and their special role as the older sibling.

When you bring your new baby home, your toddler may begin to adopt challenging or baby-like behaviours. It’s important you acknowledge you understand your toddler’s feelings.

To minimise and manage sibling rivalry start by involving your toddler with the new baby. They might like to help with tasks like getting a nappy, or doing things together like reading books, telling stories, and singing songs. Remember to make one-on-one time for your toddler every day, to remind them of their importance to you.

Conflict between your toddler and an older sibling can also be difficult. Children like to feel that mum and dad treat all their children equally – and as such, rules must be fair and consistent. Even if the ‘no hurting’ rule applies to one specific child, it’s important to remind all your children of the rules.

Try to spend quality time with each child as often as possible. The activities you choose may be quite varied depending on their age.

When stepping in to manage conflict, attempt to remain calm and refrain from labelling blame. As a parent, it’s your role to notice what’s happening between siblings, and try to understand the cause. Observe their way of working things out before stepping in yourself.

Above all, children should know their home is a safe place for everyone.