Helping Our Kids Work Through Transitions Successfully
Helping Our Kids Work Through Transitions Successfully
How To Deal With Tricky Toddler Transitions
In this newsletter, we provide you with notes on Practical Tools for Tricky Toddler Transitions, an episode of Raising Good Humans with Dr Aliza.
Hosted by Dr. Aliza Pressman, a developmental psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with families and the creator of the Raising Good Humans Podcast.
She is joined by NY Times best selling author and child psychologist Dr. Tina Payne Bryson.
Read our notes below.
Topics Covered in this Summary
How To Deal With Toddler Transitions
How To Meet Your Child’s Needs
How To Deal With Toddler Transitions
The day of a child is full of transitions. They transition from sleep to wakefulness, pyjamas to clothes, home to school and back home again, playtime to mealtime, quiet to loud, and one activity to another.
Kids resist change for various reasons. Some resist change when they have no control and there others don't want to stop doing what they enjoy. Transitions often require our kids to switch from something they want to do to something they don't.
When we recognize the root of the behavior, we become empowered to help our kids work through transitions successfully.
It’s also important to help our kids name their emotions and recognize why they are feeling and reacting a certain way, so over time they can learn to self-manage.
Another struggle for parents is keeping their toddlers in bed. This is perfectly normal; however, we must take precautions to keep them safe. Kids can get out of bed at any time, so you must thoroughly childproof the room, including electric outlets, curtain cords, and sharp corners, and keep kids from wandering outside the room at night.
When you put your toddler to bed for the first time, make sure to stick to their usual routine and offer them additional reassurance if they seem to be struggling. Even if your toddler has no trouble falling or staying asleep, you should be prepared for bedtime to take a little longer than usual.
How To Meet Your Child’s Needs
Understanding children’s needs and taking care of those needs can be very challenging at times. However, if we learn to expect some difficulties and make an effort to better understand and plan for our children’s needs, it can make this challenge easier and improve our relationship with our children.
Children often face challenges that they do not know how to handle. We can aid them by being patient and, when they are developmentally ready, teaching them skills.
Remember to treat each child as an individual, to notice and respect their differences, and to help them grow. Be curious and give them the support they need.
For example, a child who is learning independence needs many opportunities to make decisions. When we allow children to try new things, they develop skills and confidence. Trust their development because development is not linear.
Below are some ideas on how to meet your child’s needs:
Supporting children. By getting to know your children well, you will notice that children learn at different rates. This is part of normal childhood development and may just indicate that, with minor adjustments to the teaching methods, or the provision of small amounts of support, encouragement, and additional help, good progress can be made.
Security. Children must feel safe and sound, with their basic survival needs to be met: shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and protection from harm.
Emotional support. Parents' words and actions should encourage the child's trust, respect, self-esteem, and, ultimately, independence. Even when your kids have disobeyed, angered, frustrated, and rebelled against you, show them you love them and that you'll always love them.
Structure. Rules, boundaries, and limits: Without them, kids are forced to be adults before they are ready, and they lose respect for you and other adults. Parents are their child's first and most important role models. Instill your values and teach children empathy by being the kind of person you want them to become.
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Listen to the original episode