Praising Your Toddlers
Shaping a child's behavior is a challenging area where parents inevitably make mistakes. By our very nature, many dads prefer to approach this delicate task armed to the teeth with warnings limitations and the promise of repercussions. However, education professionals now believe that enforcing discipline in a positive manner will go a long way toward the balanced development of your child.
Praise is a contentious value of our times. Some are sure that children will be spoiled by praise. However, as a parent, you will be surprised by the flowering of peace and good manners in your home if you practice praise rather protest.
The following suggestions are likely to help you positively discipline your toddler and achieve the best practical results:
- Praise your toddlers constructively: Children are always trying to win attention and encouragement from their forbears. And they deserve both. But it is important that your responses as a parent point to the specific event for which the child is being praised. For example, when your children start eating with a spoon or learn to go potty on their own, they should be praised for doing so. "What a big girl you are. Eating on your own!" This is exactly how a developmental advance registers at the level of a child's personality.
- Be Authentic: Too often there is a mechanical tone that slips into a parent's daily vocabulary when dealing with their children. There must be a genuine and enthused feel that should be felt generously through every communication, especially praise.
- Avoid criticisms: Parents should avoid the temptation of readily criticizing their children as they are likely to undermine their children's confidence. Often, parents shame their children, contradict their praises and end up confusing the child. Example: "That's a good boy, but no more mischief please."
- Remember that kids (at least all the ones we know) are not intrinsically evil. They are learning from your cues and signals. And, at the early ages, they don't understand scoldings and can become frightened instead by your behavior. With small children, always try to imagine their perspective, from two feet off the ground, unable to guage time, and without a clearly developed sense of right and wrong, that they can only learn from you. Sometimes, it's just best to repeat to yourself, "He's only a little kid..."
Here are a few quick ways by which you can clearly communicate praise to your toddlers:
- Looking into their eyes and smiling
- Gently touching them
- Applauding them enthusiastically
- Kissing and hugging them
- Giving them a 'Thumb's Up'
Your parenting style is likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.
Related Tags: child development, raising kids, parenting styles
Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on pregnancy and parenting topics related to dads. Share your experiences related to parenting, pregnancy and raising kids at fathers forum.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Miniman: Shopping for the Most Suitable Miniman Baby Clothing
Shopping for baby clothing can be quite difficult, especially if it is the parents' first time to h - New Study: Nearly 40% of Parents Can't Accurately Pinpoint Their Children's Weight
Childhood obesity is rising fast in many countries, and the results from a new study may point to on - Kids Learning And Coloring Pages - A Review
Coloring pages is one of the most favorite fun activities of children which not only entertains them - Where to Look Should You Need a Babysitter
Are you someone who has those last minute meetings that you simply cannot miss? If your job require - What to Do When You Find a Babysitter
You and your husband deserve a night out on the town. Raising children is hard work but most parent - Effective Parenting
Parenting is a vulnerable experience. Caring for children automatically makes us responsible and we - Overcoming the Jitters....helping Anxious Kids
Anyone who has experienced anxiety will know how debilitating it can be. For those with no persona - The Nigerian Child: Face to Face With Abuse
The streets are increasingly becoming the homes of children in Nigeria, such that if nothing is don - How to Handle Autism Anger in the Teenage Years
Teens with autism can sometimes be faced with behaviors - such as autism anger - which are beyond t - Spotlight on Autism Parents - Maintaining Balance in Your Other Relationships
Autism parents don't have it easy. You are faced with many more challenges than parents of childre
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Perfect Parent...Who Are We Kidding?
I get the feeling that there are a lot of moms and dads out there that feel they're not measuring up - Partial Breastfeeding - Should I Even Bother?
For some women, feeding a baby with breastmilk alone is not possible. The reasons for this vary. For - Skateboarding In The Eighties To The Present
Skateboarding traces its roots to the seventies but it really reached the peak of its popularity in - How Breastfeeding Benefits A Daddy
You know that breastfeeding is best for mother and child, but what's in it for Dad? Isn't he going t - Child-Appropriate Costumes: Violence, Sexuality, And Insensitivity
So your daughter wants to be Wonder Woman for Hallowe'en, or your son wants to be Batman. They're bo - The Evolution Of Vitamin B5 For Acne
I came across the benefits of Vitamin B5 6 years ago whilst searching for an acne treatment that act - Depression And Teens - Six Signs That Your Child May Be Suffering From Depression
Most people are now aware of the seriousness of depression. This has become much more common and mor - Parenting Teenager - Take Time For Your Teen!
BookWire's "Year in Reviews Magazine," December 2006 issue, lists a review of my book "Help Me With - Why It's Important To Follow A Healthy Diet When Pregnant
Pregnancy is one of the most physically enduring times in our lives, and it is more important than e - Sleep Separation And Your Child
It seems harmless enough, lying down with your child while he goes to sleep, but it could be that sl
