Social skills for toddlers can be hard to teach, especially if they are used to getting what they want, and being given a pat on the back for doing it. Here are some ways to start showing your toddler that they should be seen as an individual in their environment.
Give rewards when your child displays good behaviour. Toddlers like to get attention, so when they exhibit good behaviour, they will enjoy the reward. Make sure they know what they have done is appreciated by you.
Be patient with your toddler. Your child needs to understand that being self-confident is not the same as being rude or demanding. You are the one who has to listen to what your child has to say, but at the same time, do not yell when talking. It might seem like you are in control, but it is not always a good idea. You need to show your child that you understand what he or she is saying.
Make sure to communicate with your child at the same time. If you are trying to work on a problem at playtime, talk to him or her at the same time, or have them wait a few minutes after. This makes it easier for you to get their full attention, and it allows you to make sure that they are still happy.
Taking a walk together is a great idea when you are teaching social skills for toddlers. A walk can help you build stronger ties between you, your child, and the rest of the family.
Basic Tips
There is no right or wrong time to teach social skills for toddlers. Just make sure you are doing it when it is most appropriate. You do not want your child feeling like they are going to be judged or embarrassed. Toddlers have a difficult time understanding the implications of social and emotional behaviour at a very young age.
Try to learn from your mistakes, and never become defensive. If your child makes a mistake, try to talk to him or her about it, and learn from their mistakes. This will give them more confidence in themselves and the world around them.
If your child is struggling in the social skills for toddlers area, try using some of the tips above. It may just be a matter of changing some of your habits or being a bit more patient.
Be Involved
Toddlers are usually very focused on their little world, and they do not want to be interrupted. If you interrupt them while they are playing, your child will not get any attention and will probably withdraw further into his or her little world.
If your child is showing signs of aggression, do not yell at him or her. If the behaviour continues, you may want to consider getting some professional help.
Let your child’s attention is drawn to something else while he or she is playing. You can let them play with a toy instead of playing with you. If you do this, your child will get some extra attention from you, which will help him or her build self-confidence.
If you have children, learn from each other. When you are learning, ask each other for ideas and help each other out. You might even find that you are better at this than you ever thought.
Enjoy the Process
Teaching children can be a wonderful experience. When you teach them, they will enjoy the process and you will enjoy helping them, and they will remember these skills for a long time.
Social skills for toddlers can take time, but it can be done. The key is patience and giving your child the attention he or she needs. Try to be positive as you are teaching the skills for toddlers.
Try to give your child positive reinforcement when he or she does something right. A child learns by receiving praise and treats for good behaviour, and punishment for bad behaviour.
Remember, you do not have to have a lot of money or lots of toys to teach your toddler some skills for toddlers. Remember, the key to teaching any skill for toddlers is positive reinforcement, patience and love.