Category: Toddlers

Why Do Toddlers Seem So Negative Sometimes, and Why Is It Normal?

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You’ve probably heard of the “terrible twos,” and maybe you’ve even heard some parents refer to their kids as “threenagers”—but when it’s your own kid throwing massive tantrums and generally acting like a beast, you might wonder if they accidentally swapped personalities with a storybook dragon. How do you deal with negative toddlers in Greenwood, IN? And is it really normal?

The baby years make the terrible twos a shock

Between birth and 18 months to two years, your child was probably a relative angel. Even if they were suffering from colic and barely let you get any sleep, there were still those infectious baby giggles, the quiet moments and the easy portability that makes babies a lot easier to care for. That’s why a lot of parents are shocked when their child—who is really starting to display their own personality—starts acting far more temperamental, impulsive and maybe even what we’d consider mean.

Don’t worry—you’re not raising a tiny sociopath. Although this behavior is embarrassing, frustrating and often downright upsetting, it’s also perfectly normal. That’s why you get sympathetic nods from other parents and glares from people who haven’t lived with a toddler for decades (or ever).

Toddlers are undergoing major brain development

One of the reasons toddlers seem so wildly out of control is because they’re undergoing significant brain development. In fact, scientists say that children’s brains develop the most between birth and age three, which is why it’s so important to be present with your child, talk to them, sing, play and more.

As they continue to learn and grow, they develop a sense of independence and self-awareness. However—as you probably are well aware—they lack the words to express their feelings. Instead, they might kick, bite, scream, hit or otherwise express themselves inappropriately. Again, this is totally normal, if not incredibly humiliating depending on the situation.

It comes down to a lack of impulse control, which eventually develops with age and discipline. Time-outs and yelling or spanking are not advised at this age (and for the latter two, the experts suggest they don’t ever work). Your kid doesn’t have the cognitive ability to understand the impact of what they’re doing. They really don’t get that biting little Jimmy is bad (unless little Jimmy bites back). You have to keep firmly, but patiently, telling them the same thing: “We don’t bite people. Biting is bad.” Then follow it up with natural consequences, like cutting short play time and cleaning up the messes they’ve made (together). Be sure to explain why this is happening. Eventually—although probably not soon enough for your tastes—they will start to understand.

Toddlers are all about testing their limits, which is why the terrible twos are such a trying age for parents. The only things you can really do are to have reasonable expectations of their behavior and to set limits, both through routine and discipline. Eventually, they’ll grow out of it.

Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center understands how to deal with negative toddlers in Greenwood, IN. Call us today to learn more about our curriculum.

What Foods Are Most Recommended to Send with Your Toddler to Preschool?

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If you have a toddler, you probably also have a child who is very particular about what they will and will not eat. It can often be a challenge to get your kid to eat something—anything—healthy, which is why a lot of parents find themselves trying to sneak vegetables into mac and cheese or resigning themselves to a chicken-nuggets-only diet and just hoping they grow out of it. That can be a problem when your child goes to preschool, however. Here are some of the best foods to pack when your toddler goes to school in Greenwood, IN.

How to get your kids to eat healthy

Of course your child likes ice cream, cupcakes, chicken nuggets and soft drinks—but where did they learn that they liked them? In many cases, it’s from watching their parents. Who wouldn’t prefer a sugary drink to a plate of steamed broccoli, especially if they don’t understand why we have to eat healthy?

If you want them to actually eat what you want them to eat, it’s best to lead by example. That means that you should join them in eating apple slices, carrot sticks and other healthy snacks—and limit your own junk food consumption, at least in front of them.

The earlier you can start these habits, the better. Your kids love to imitate you, as you probably know if you’ve ever heard them repeat something embarrassing in public. They’re naturally curious. Take advantage of that curiosity by modeling good eating habits and serving your whole family healthy meals. When you start them on the right track early, they’re much more likely to keep those good eating habits up throughout their lives.

Healthy stand-ins and preschool snacks

There are plenty of stand-ins and snacks your child will love, whether they think they need popsicles every day or they happily eat carrot sticks and peanut butter. For example, you can get yogurt tubes and freeze them instead of serving them ice cream and popsicles.

If your child only eats bland white foods, try swapping out couscous or quinoa for white rice. Serve them sweet potato fries instead of regular, and look for ways to use reduced-fat milk in foods like mashed potatoes and other high-calorie foods.

When it comes to the best school foods for toddlers in Greenwood, IN, think “easy to pack” and “shelf stable.” Tube yogurt, sliced fruits and vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches (on multigrain bread) and fig bars instead of cookies are all good preschool foods. If you send cheese, look for one with reduced fat, and consider swapping Canadian bacon for regular bacon whenever possible. Hard-boiled eggs, low-fat milk and dry cereal are all good ways to fill the between-meals “nutrient gap” without encouraging unhealthy eating habits.

Are you looking for a preschool in Greenwood, IN for your toddler? Kids Kingdom Early Learning Center might be just what you need. Reach out to us today to learn more about our curriculum. We look forward to discussing your child’s needs!