Disobedience With Toddlers

Disobedience With Toddlers

• A toddler's main interest is themselves. They are cute at this age but don't give in when it comes to discipline.
• Be consistent. When you ignore a particular behaviour one day but get angry about it another time you confuse your child.
• Some examples of how your toddler may get confused are playing chasing games one minute and then expecting them to 'come here' the next minute; or encouraging aeroplane games with food and later telling them not to play with their dinner.
• Toddlers find it difficult to do as they are told. They have to pay attention to the words, work out what they mean, get that message to their hands or feet and remember the original instruction. All this at the same time they are learning to control their bodies!
• They don't know or understand all the rules and often don't understand that your concern about their behaviour is more worry about their safety than anger.
• Toddlers are also trying to do things for themselves and establish their independence and will often say 'no!' to everything.
• You can set limits for your toddler:
  • Understand their feelings but help them do as you have told them. "You don't want your shoes on but they need to be on. This is because I don't want you to get dirty feet or tread on something that might hurt you."
  • Parents need to decide what limits are appropriate and make sure the child clearly understands these limits. Then parents must be consistent in what they expect the child to do.
  • Tell them you are angry. "I'm angry. I want you to do as I have told you now."
  • Avoid questions which can be answered "No!"
  • Distract the toddler while you help with what needs to be done - sing a song, find something to play with.
  • Talk about what it is you're going to do next.
  • Redirect the toddler to a better activity, telling the rule and the reason for it.

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Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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