Toddler Activities - For Your Kids Growth And Your Sanity
By Jayce Broda
The Pre-Sell
The great thing about having young children is that your perspective can be
their perspective. You just have to sell it right. For example, today I took my
kids to volunteer at our local humane society. Now even-though they spent most
of the time picking up dog poo, all three are pumped to do it again next week.
Why you ask? How is that possible? Because to them, it was not a crappy job. It
was a chance to show how they could help animals in need. It showed how they
could help a dog be adopted, who would otherwise be euthanized. It was a chance
for them to show mom and dad how they could do a job all by themselves. By the
time we left the dog shelter, our kids felt like heroes. I spent time the day
before talking to them about the above points; I sold them a positive
perspective on cleaning up dog poo.
Integrate
When it comes to doing laundry, dishes, cooking, or cleanup, it is much easier
for us to do the job alone. It's quicker and it gets done right. But we would
miss a great opportunity to integrate our toddler's activities into our own.
It's a chance for your toddler to feel genuinely valuable. Start with something
small and safe. Make it fun and definitely make it often. A toddler can help put
away groceries, putt away shoes, or brushing the dog. If you think about it,
safe and fun options will come to you. I volunteer at a dog shelter, my kids are
not old enough to hep me walk the dogs themselves, but they can help socialize
new dogs and clean up.
Ebbs & Flows
I had to learn this lesson the hard way. I used to set schedules for when my
kids and I would do activities. I saw increased tantrums when I tried to impose
my own schedule though. Now, I'm prepared for a number of activities, but I'm
also prepared to allow my toddler's energy level to dictate what activity we do.
Certain hours of the day toddlers are very active and even hyper, but other
times they are mellower and laid back. Fit the activity to the energy level and
peace will reign in your house.
Routine
I had to ask myself why it was so difficult to persuade my children to wear a
helmet while on their bike, but effortless to get them in their car seats? My
wife and I were 100% consistent with the car seats and about 90% consistent with
the bicycle helmets. My kids didn't even now that not wearing a seat belt was an
option. When your three years old, it is hard to understand why it is OK to go
without a helmet one day, but not OK the next. Consistency is king, so let it
rule.
Celebrate
This is the part most people leave out, and yet it is crucial. To leave a
lasting impression on your toddler, you must celebrate their victories, no
matter how small. Praise your child and show your pride.
* *
For more help regarding your toddler, see here:
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Tao of Dad. The place for entertaining, but meaningful parenting advice for
when you feel over-whelmed and tips that will help you parent in ways that you
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