Tips for Understanding and Enjoying the Early Years

Overview

As toddlers and preschoolers continue to develop and grow, their points of view, needs, and abilities will change. It is an exciting time to watch your child become more independent and capable.

This also means you may need to adjust your expectations often so you can support your child as you grow together.

Understand your child's development

Children grow and learn at incredibly fast rates, particularly during the toddler and preschool stages. At this point, they are developing emotional and physical independence.

This can sometimes look like pushing away from parents or caregivers. At the same time, they can also struggle with being separated from their parents and caregivers.

Toddlers and preschoolers may have a limited ability to communicate through language, so most of their communication is nonverbal. They can also quickly become distressed or overwhelmed, and tantrums are common.

The combination of children exploring independence and having limited communication skills can sometimes be associated with parents feeling frustrated or rejected. This is normal. If you find yourself becoming annoyed with your child, try taking a moment to pause, calm your emotions, and practice self-care.

Adjust your expectations

It is important for you to understand your child's capabilities at different stages of development so you can set realistic expectations.

Observe and reflect on all the things your child can do. Every child is unique and not all children grow in the same ways or at the same pace.

For example, one two-year-old may become frustrated that they can't yet communicate with many words. Whereas, another two-year-old may seem to never stop talking.

There are many ways you can engage with your child and support their development. As long as it is safe to do so, try following your child’s lead in their activities. Share in their sense of wonder and learn alongside them as they explore. Notice their emotions and be responsive to their need for connection and support.

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect and relate to what your toddler or preschooler can do and what their needs are at this age.

• How have your toddler or preschooler's capabilities and needs changed in the last six months? In the last three months? In the last month?
• Remembering that every child is different and emotional, physical, and intellectual development doesn’t happen at the same rate, take a moment to reflect on your child’s unique journey.
• Have you caught yourself comparing your toddler or preschooler’s development to other children in your life? What can you do to remind yourself that every child’s development is unique?