Health & Fitness
No Time Outs For Two Year Olds!
No Time-Outs For Two Year Olds!
Let’s establish what we know from scientific research in neuroscience and early childhood development:
Two year olds can’t “think” about their behavior.
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Two year olds have not established “impulse control”, and therefore are still acting on the urges within them.
It’s a time of testing limits, wanting control, and striving for mastery over his body and environment.
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Language development has begun long ago, but while your two year old understands much of what you’re saying, she is struggling to put words to her feelings, hurts, and needs. When her feelings are intense it doesn’t take much for her to spiral out of control. Your child needs your empathy, support, and appropriate limits to help her make sense of her world; learn the language of feelings; and contain anxieties.
Your toddler is bouncing between two profound developmental needs at the same time: to return to your outstretched, welcoming arms for calming and soothing when her new world and big emotions get overwhelming; AND at the same time establishing independence and expressing a mind of her own.
As your baby develops into toddlerhood, new responses are required to help him grow into a loving, empathetic, cooperative human being. In my blog entitled Could “No!” Be Music To Your Ears?, I give real life examples of dealing positively with tantrums in ways that honor feelings, and generate respect and cooperation. Striving for independence is one of the most significant milestones for your child’s ongoing mental, physical, and cognitive well-being.
More Alternatives To Time Outs coming soon. Visit Dr. Sue, The Mommy Advisor at First Attachments.com.