It may be comically exaggerated, but our kids can indeed get hard to manage once they hit the “terrible twos.” At this stage, they have just begun practicing their capacity to actively think, act, and feel: a process as jarring for them as it is challenging for us. As a provider of child care services in Anaheim, California, we know that parents need to practice the utmost patience and charity to help their kids navigate this phase with happy results.
At Happy Hearts Preschool and Childcare, we gladly listen to the concerns of parents about child care and offer advice when needed. Today, we draw on our expertise as a preschool in Anaheim, California to guide parents on what to do to handle difficult behaviors children exhibit in the “terrible twos” stage:
- Recognize that their behavior may be in response to anticipated stress.
Children usually throw tantrums or act out because they feel something stressful approaching, like a visit to the doctor or a big day at the learning center in California. To address this, provide them with time and space to decompress. Let them eat well and get enough rest.
- Do not cave in.
As much as we think that this is the easiest way to get our kids to cooperate, we must not give in to demands they make during a breakdown. Stay focused, consistent, and clear. This teaches them the value of limitations and proactive actions.
- Respond with calmness above all.
In the transition from infant to toddler, kids still cannot regulate the way they react to things. They will count on you to stay calm for them and lead them to the right actions and responses.
These are just some of the ways we implement to allay kids during their “terrible twos.” For more advice, talk to our licence home child care center today.
