One of the first words your child will learn to say is “no.” It is a very useful word for them to know—you no longer have to guess if they want more food or a drink or a hug—but, boy oh boy, do toddlers enjoy saying “no.” They seem to wake up each day saying it and then go to sleep murmuring it to themselves.
Rest assured that you’re not alone in this developmental stage. Read on if you’re asking yourself, “Why do two-year-olds say ‘no’?”
The toddler no phase
Experts say that this stage is typically between 18 and 36 months old. It’s often a time of extremes as the child begins to have some additional autonomy. One minute they may be affectionate, while the next minute they’re screaming “NO!” seemingly without reason.
And they love the power of the word. They’ll use it to get your attention. They’ll use it when they legitimately aren’t interested in something. They’ll use it for fun. They’re starting to be more assertive over their environment—that sometimes includes rejecting everything around them whether it makes sense or not.
How to deal with this stage
Luckily, you do have some tools at your disposal for getting through this trying time. (There is logic behind the old cliché of the “terrible twos.”)
Here are some things to try out with your child:
Establishing routines is particularly important at this age. When there are expectations, your child will have a better idea of how the day is going to go. They will feel empowered without feeling the need to say “no” every fifteen seconds.
Limiting the number of power struggles is also helpful. They’re going to happen, but ask yourself ahead of time, “Is this the hill I want to die on?” “Is this important, or am I arbitrarily setting a boundary?” Be selective when you need to be firm.
Try to make things fun whenever possible. Let’s say you want your child to pick up their toys. Instead of drawing a line in the sand (i.e., “You have to help, or you won’t get a snack”), make the task fun. Give the child a pair of kitchen tongs, and see how many toys they can drop in the box. Granted, it won’t be the most efficient work, but you are asking a two-year-old to do it!
Validate your child’s feelings. Let’s say you have to take your child to day care, but they want to go to the playground. You can say to the child, “I know you want to go to the playground, but right now we have to go to school.” Of course, this may still end up in a temper tantrum, but, in the long run, it will help establish a better relationship with your child.
Are you looking for quality childcare? At Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center, our involvement with your child doesn’t end with traditional schooling and classroom teaching. We provide children from newborn to 9 years old with a safe environment to relax, play and learn when they can’t be in your care. It’s a chance for social-emotional development and a great way for kids to explore the world around them. Contact us right now to learn more about our childcare programs!
Many parents have kids who suffer from children’s anxiety. Developing resilience is crucial during a child’s formative years, providing them with the coping skills they need to respond to stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Luckily, kids of all ages can build resilience over time. By changing the inner wiring of the brain through experience, children have the capability to shape their individual, intrinsic characteristics in a way that strengthens their resilience and reduces their anxiety.
Here are some of the ways kids can conquer stress and build resilience skills that they can use throughout their entire life.
Remember that kids can’t do it alone
Kids can’t learn how to build resilience alone. It takes at least one supportive relationship for kids to develop the coping skills they need to face fear and anxiety and truly thrive in life. The presence of a responsive, caring adult is crucial for dealing with difficult situations. In many cases, a caring relationship can even reverse some of the psychological effects that are activated by stress and fear.
If you can be there for your child, no matter what tough situations they’re going through, you ensure that their brain, body and even immune system are safe from the harmful effects of anxiety.
Provide open lines of communication
Kids need to know that they have someone they can trust to have their back during stressful situations. Many children have been taught to tough it out, but true strength means knowing when to ask for help. Maintain open communication, and let your child know that they’re always encouraged to ask for help, whether it’s from you, a teacher, a coach or even a neighbor.
Explore the benefits of exercise
Exercise is key for reducing children’s anxiety. It boosts neurochemical activity in their developing brains, helping them naturally calm their mind during stressful moments. Any type of exercise offers plenty of benefits for kids, but if you can make it fun, it’s even better. Every time you take your kid out for an afternoon of baseball, Frisbee, basketball or soccer, or when you simply take your dog for a walk, you’ll likely notice a boost in mood—not just for them but also for you.
Promote positivity and optimism
Modeling a positive mindset is another great way to set kids on a path toward resiliency. One thing resilient people have in common is optimism, and the brain can be rewired to be more optimistic through experiences in life. If you have a child who has a glass-half-empty way of thinking, try to show them another perspective without invalidating how they feel. Introduce them to a new way of thinking, and let them take it from there.
Building resilience is one of the best ways for kids to cope with stress and children’s anxiety. Get in touch with the staff at Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center to learn more about helping your child gain the important life skills and concepts that are necessary for healthy development and growth.
From the moment children are born, they start learning all about the world around them. They’re also developing skills that they will use for years to come in all facets of their lives. The importance of early childhood education in fostering these skills and helping children learn new ones is evident in everything from literacy to math skills to emotional stability.
Read on to find out about early learning benefits and discover how the right early learning center can help your child grow and develop.
The importance of early childhood education
The outcomes for children who receive a quality education from an early age are numerous. When parents and educators have a strong relationship, children will gain numerous social and academic benefits. This has both broad and specific applications. For example, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning outcomes have a positive correlation with early learning.
In these early years, a child will build a foundation for their future development, creating a strong base for how they learn throughout their school career. This includes supporting cognitive and social development. Study after study has demonstrated that early childhood education is a vital part of a child’s success in the future.
What to look for in an early learning program
If you believe in the importance of early childhood education, then you’ll want to find a quality program to enroll your child in. From an early age, children can learn so much from being in a classroom setting with both a teacher and their peers.
Here’s what you want to look for in a childcare center that will deliver educational results:
Individualized attention: While part of a childcare center’s responsibility is meeting a child’s basic needs, education needs to go beyond that. It’s vital in the early years for your child to have a supportive teacher who will take the time to provide instruction based on your child’s needs.
Curriculum: Pre-kindergarten lessons need not be complex, but the center should have an idea of what educational outcomes they want to see. Whether it’s learning how to play together with their peers or singing the alphabet song, ensure that the center’s goals align with your values.
Daily story time: One of the most critical activities for young children is reading. Having story time every day at school reinforces this habit. It helps children associate language with text and images—and it creates a positive environment around reading as well. (Bonus points for childcare centers that have dedicated reading areas where children can explore books regardless of their literacy level!)
These are just some of the early learning benefits. Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center is a premier, Biblically-based early childhood learning center. We’re proud to teach the youngest minds skills that last a lifetime. Our supportive and dedicated staff are members of your community, fully invested in helping each student succeed in a loving, safe environment. Let us become part of your family and teach your child the life skills they need to grow and thrive.
Reality check: Potty training toddlers isn’t easy. It seems like there’s always some so-called expert out there who says it’s easy and that you should be able to go from diapers to 100-percent potty trained in 24 hours. Here in the real world, we know that the vast majority of parents face setbacks during potty training.
If you’re wondering how to start potty training and how to deal with common problems, this guide is for you.
Your child doesn’t want to go to the potty
It’s possible that, if your child is resisting using the toilet, they’re not ready yet. The signs that children are ready include interest in using the potty, hiding from you when they take a bowel movement and telling you that they need their diaper changed. Potty training at the right time varies from child to child, so stay attuned to what you think is best for your particular situation.
Get them ready
Preparing your child for potty training can make it a more positive experience for them—and a less painful one for you. There are plenty of children’s books out there that will get them engaged with using the toilet. You can also sing potty training songs. A potty training doll is another popular tool—children love pretending that their dolls are going potty.
Get rid of all the diapers
Once you’ve committed to potty training your child, you want to stick to it. This means that it’s time to ditch the diapers in most instances. You may want to keep using one overnight for a while, but during the day, stick with underwear—even though it may be rough at first because…
There will be accidents
Accept this now: Your child will have accidents. They’re bound to happen during potty training. The best thing you can do is to treat them lightly and keep your cool. If you punish or scold your child, it will only backfire and make potty training longer. Children who are learning to use the potty are having accidents because they don’t understand the process yet. Give it time, and if a few weeks go by and they’re still really struggling, they may not be ready.
Nighttime training
Your child may do fine during the day but wet the bed at night. Remember that this is a normal part of the process and will likely take longer. Start by having your child go to the bathroom immediately before bed. You may also need to wake them up in the middle of the night to use the toilet.
Potty training toddlers is a challenge, but eventually your little one will get the hang of it. If you’re looking for a day care, then turn to Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center. We are the premier, Biblically-based early childhood learning center in the region. We’re proud to teach the youngest minds skills that last a lifetime. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help your child learn and grow!
As the parent of a young child, you may be wondering what to look for when it comes to preschool readiness. Deciding exactly when to begin preschool can be a long and difficult process. You need to take many factors into consideration before taking the step of having your little one take that big step to preschool. If you’re asking, “What are signs that my kid is ready for preschool?” then read on.
Your child thrives in routine
Once your child is at the point that they understand and follow routines, they may be ready for preschool. Childcare centers almost always have a schedule that keeps the kids on track. This often includes having a snack at the same time each day, a specific time for play, story time, quiet time and a lesson.
As a parent, you can help your child’s preschool readiness by instituting morning and bedtime routines. This will not only help get them ready for preschool but will also help them get moving in the morning—which can sometimes be a challenge.
Your child is okay with being separated
One key aspect of knowing whether your child is ready for preschool is determining whether they can spend time away from you. Some level of separation anxiety is to be expected with all children going to school for the first time.
You can prepare your child by leaving them with a trusted family member or friend for a couple of hours to test their separation anxiety. Then, when it’s time to go to preschool, you may want to leave your child with a transitional object like a toy from home.
Your child enjoys interacting with other children
Once your child is showing an interest in other kids, they may be ready for preschool. This means that they may be craving more social interaction with their peers. At preschool, they’ll learn valuable social skills like how to share, take turns and speak politely.
Your child has enough stamina for the school day
If your child is napping more than once a day, they may not be ready for preschool. But once they’ve dropped that morning nap, this shows that they’ll have enough staying power to last the day without a meltdown. Preschools are often required to offer a nap time or quiet time where your child will be able to rest.
Preschool can be such a rewarding experience for children. They build those crucial social and emotional skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. And through play, art and exploration, their minds develop at an incredibly rapid rate.
We hope this guide to preschool readiness has addressed some of your questions. Since 2017, Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center has been a leading childcare and learning center. Our dedicated team specializes in providing a variety of services including daily nondenominational Christian education, as well as before-care and aftercare services.
We are a family-owned and -operated business offering Christian education and quality services. Contact us for more information and to learn more about how we can help your child.
