By age one, toddler’s brains are on overload with so much data and stimulus, notes John Medina, Ph.D., author of Brain Rules for Baby, that the information can be overwhelming and make it hard for little ones – with their limited verbal capabilities – to accurately understand and express their feelings in a clear way. So what happens? The dreaded toddler temper tantrum, he says.
It’s important for parents to teach their toddlers how to express themselves and their needs in ways that are more productive than a tantrum, and that can help them to be heard and feel satisfied.
At the early stage of ages 1 to 3, the parent is a coach who is training a toddler how to express himself or herself without exploding. To do so, your toddler needs: