Curiosity from 12 - 36 months

The Gist:

Toddlers are ready for a couple of rules (but just a couple!)

Keep watching them learn

Check out this series for great information about child development


The Details:

If you have a toddler - loosely defined here as a one-to-three-year-old - you know it is GAME ON. 


They’ve started walking; they’ve started talking (and if they haven’t, click here to watch a video about why they should be); they’ve started playing; they have preferences; they have personality (so much personality)!


Mostly, it feels like they are interested in doing THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what you want them to do.


And that is FINE. 


This is a big time of change for kids (and parents). There’s a huge surge of development happening, and it can feel overwhelming at times. For everyone.


The main thing to remember is that the same principles apply: keep them safe and let them do their thing. In a slightly larger “container”.


How?

First, due to their new status as Fully Mobile Creatures, you’ll need some rules around what happens in uncontained spaces like parking lots, sidewalks, streets, etc. I strongly encourage you to have some firm, nonnegotiable rules around handholding in those settings.


But, the rest? Let it go. 


Let them run away from you (in the enclosed space); let them try something physically daring; let them throw things that are not for throwing;


Create a safe space and then let them try.


This can feel SO HARD for parents. 


We want to keep our kids safe. We want to prevent them from getting hurt, from becoming frustrated. We want them to “do the right thing”.


And they will. In fact, they will do those things more quickly if we let them experience things for themselves. 


Toddlers are all over the place - literally and figuratively. They are pushing for more independence. They deserve more independence… within a safe container.


If you want more concrete ideas of how to foster curiosity in your toddler, check out my Developmental Milestones Chart here. It’s full of easy, quick ideas for kids at every age and stage.


All my best -

Gabriele


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