Do you want to learn all of the toddler tips you can to make the transition from baby to toddler a smooth one? Keep reading because this is a good one!
I was recently in your shoes with my son and I quickly learned that toddler tips and tricks are so different from the parenting tips for newborns that I learned. Toddlers are such smart little people who can be very determined when they want something!
After reading this post, you will know the best toddler tips and tricks to handle your toddler, toddler tantrums, toddler meals and even some toddler activities that my family loves!
This post is all about life-changing toddler tips that every parent needs to know.
This post is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Toddler Tips
1. Redirect
Toddler tantrums are a special beast parents have to deal with. They can be irrational, come out of nowhere, and be pretty intense.
Have you ever noticed that the tantrums can also end abruptly if the toddler sees a toy he’s interested in or a family member walks into the room?
Redirection is an AMAZING toddler tip to have in your back pocket!
Once a tantrum starts, talk to your toddler in a calm manner and explain that you understand his frustration but he can’t have xyz right now and redirect to another activity or toy. It doesn’t work every time but can be a really good tool to bring a toddler tantrum down in a few seconds.
2. Deep Breath Before You React
Toddlers are soaking in every aspect of the world around them, including how their parents are behaving.
Many times, we as the parents are tired after a long day of working or didn’t get much sleep last night so your toddler’s tantrum is just the icing on the cake. But before you lash out at them or raise your voice, I encourage you to take a step back and a deep breath.
This can help you gain composure and prevent unnecessary scolding or anger. At the end of the day, your toddler should be making some mistakes as he learns and grows. Even as adults, we are far from perfect.
Take a deep breath can not only give you perspective but also help give your child the grace he needs to grow into the world changer that he is meant to be!
3. Everything in Perspective
To build on the previous toddler tips, another thing to keep in mind is that perspective is everything.
Even though your toddler may seem big and independent compared to the little newborn you gave birth to a 1+ years ago, he is still needing your help and comfort.
Is he tantruming because he wants you to read one more book before bed? You might be exhausted from a long day but tomorrow he will be a little older and some day he won’t need you like he does now. Read the book and enjoy the extra snuggles 🙂
Is he playing with his food and now it’s all over his clothes? It might seem like a lot to clean up in the moment but toddler sensory activities are an important part of toddler development and what’s a few more pieces of clothing in the wash? Deep breath and keep it in perspective.
4. Observe
Observation is one of the toddler tips and tricks I didn’t anticipate needing to do but it’s so important. Before getting upset with your child, take a minute to observe him.
Is there a particular song that he doesn’t like that you can skip on the playlist next time?
Is he having trouble with certain textures of food that toddler sensory play would be helpful for?
Does he get upset at family gatherings because there is a family member he is not comfortable with yet?
Your child is still rapidly developing and there might be a valid reason he gets upset that you can determine through observing.
5. Your words are GOLD
Your words truly are gold.
But this is twofold. I encourage you to really mean what you say and follow through so your toddler will never question if you mean what you say. For example: if you tell your toddler it is time for bed, then that means the books and toys go away and he is put in his crib.
This also applies to your thoughts, opinions and actions. Our littles ones are like sponges, absorbing the world around them, and what they are learning is LIFE CHANGING. They imitate what they are exposed to so it is important that they learn that what they do impacts others. His actions can change the world for the good!
6. Practice Words
Once your toddler starts speaking… practice, practice, practice. This is a game changer when it comes to communication between parent and child.
Initially, “yes” and “no” really take the guesswork out of things and allows the toddler to express himself with wants and preferences. For example: your child can choose between two snacks or can express that he does not want to read the book you picked out.
The more your toddler practices speaking, the better he will be and the greater your interaction with each other will be. Start by talking through everything you do in a day and making a habit out of naming objects, animals, colors, etc.
And it is just so cute hearing their little voices!
7. Set a Bedtime Routine
Toddlers LOVE routines, and you probably do too. It’s extremely helpful and comforting for your toddler to have a sense for what to expect next, especially at bedtime. This can start even when your child is still a baby but it becomes particularly important in toddlerhood.
In my house our bedtime looks like this: dinner, bath, lotion/diaper/pjs, brush teeth, read a few books, sleep sack, sing our nighttime song, sound machine & kisses goodnight.
I encourage you to create a bedtime routine that works for your family and your schedule. For example: some nights we skip a bath and play a little extra but all in all, our routine stays fairly consistent and my son is in bed between 7-7:15pm every night.
Update: We recently started using this sound machine and I highly recommend it! We followed the color system described in the video below too and it has been a game changer for transitioning from reading to sleep.
8. Toddlers Can Be Picky Eaters
You are not alone if toddler meals are a struggle for you. It’s even common for toddlers to eat a wide variety of foods and then suddenly become very picky eaters.
If this is the case for your toddler, it can be soooo frustrating some days.
But it’s important to know that this will not last forever. I repeat this will not last forever.
A few things you can do now to discourage picky eating is to prepare your toddler lunch or toddler dinner with one to two familiar foods that your child eats as well as new foods that the rest of the family is eating. It may take lots and lots of exposure to a food but your toddler might surprise you.
It’s easy to become a short order cook and prepare a second meal for your toddler but this will only prolong the picky eating.
If you have any questions or concerns about your toddler’s eating, I encourage you to reach out to your pediatrician.
9. Praise, Praise, Praise
Toddlers really love positive praise when they do something correctly. I mean who doesn’t?!
With most kids, praise encourages them to do the activity again and really refine the particular skill. This goes for pre-toddlerhood too when your baby is learning to sit up, crawl, clap and walk.
It is so important for your toddler to know that he is capable of anything he sets his mind to. He literally had to teach himself how to do things that we as adults take for granted every day like walking and eating with a fork.
Positive praise is something that starts at home with parents but has a ripple effect as the toddler grows up.
10. Mix Structured Activities with Free Play
I’m a firm believer in a mix of structured activities and free play. Structured activities are just activities that the parent selects and free play gives all the control to the toddler.
Too much structure can cause toddler tantrums if your child does not want to do something but free play can be overwhelming and cause your child to bounce from activity to activity. I truly believe a mix of the two makes for a good day with a toddler.
There are so many benefits to structured activities, particularly that they can teach boundaries surrounding the activity, which is a major life skill. They can also improve your toddler’s patience and certain skills but keep in mind toddlers do not have a long attention span usually.
You can weave structured activities into your day by setting aside time in the morning for painting followed by a music class or in the afternoon having a toddler sensory activity ready to go.
You can argue that free play or independent play is considered a structured activity as well if you’re setting aside specific time for it but I think it has its own amazing benefits. Free play can be amazing for your toddlers’ independence, imagination, and mastery of skills depending on the type of toy he is playing with.
In my family, we do a lot of free play in the morning after breakfast while we’re all still waking up and digesting breakfast as well as when dinner is cooking and I’m setting the table and getting ready for the meal.
11. Involve them in everyday chores
Toddlers LOVE to help with everything and anything and really thrive when given the chance to do tasks themselves – and they’re often much more capable than we think!
Instead of trying to take care of your to do list during naptime, save your toddler friendly tasks for when he is awake and when it works for your life. The tasks will happen a lot slower than you would like, may not be done well and may be completed and then uncompleted but it’s all part of the process. Let your child struggle and experiment a little before stepping in.
Some examples of tasks include:
- Moving small articles of clothing in/out of the dryer
- Helping to put toys away
- Have your child throw out a small piece of trash
- Pouring/mixing involved with baking
- Let your child wash his own face and comb his hair
- Show your child how to clean up a small spill
There are even kid’s cleaning sets and play lawn mowers that your toddler may love. They have been a huge hit in my house!
And last but not least, I saved one of the most important toddler tips for last…
12. Don’t Compare Your Child to Social Media
This is the hardest toddler tip to master but it’s sooo important.
It is imperative that you do not compare your child to others on social media or at daycare. Trust me, I’ve been there…
Children truly develop at their own pace. You can look at a kindergartener and not be able to tell how old he was when he started crawling, when he first said “mama” or when he started sleeping through the night.
Your toddler is unique in the best possible ways and comparing him to other kids will only steal your joy. So live in the moment, give your toddler the best resources to develop and love on him as much as you can.
Toddler Tips Summary:
- Redirect
- Deep breath before you react
- Everything in perspective
- Observe
- Your words are GOLD
- Practice words
- Set a bedtime routine
- Toddlers can be picky eaters
- Praise, praise, praise
- Mix structured activities with free play
- Involve them in everyday chores
- Don’t compare your child to social media
This post was all about life-changing toddler tips that every parent needs to know.
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