What is going on inside of our smalls heads?
Hi everyone, welcome to my blog where I share my basic knowledge of what I have learned to be helpful in navigating a small's journey with their emotions and a basic understanding of what is behind some of it.
Today I want to talk about something that might surprise you: the pre frontal cortex in the brain and how it affects our toddler's behaviour and emotional state.
You might be wondering what the pre frontal cortex is and why it matters. Well, it's the part of the brain that is responsible for planning, decision making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. It's also the part of the brain that is still developing in our toddlers.
That's right, our toddlers are not fully equipped to handle their emotions, impulses, and choices. They are still learning how to use their pre frontal cortex and sometimes they get overwhelmed by their feelings and reactions. That's why they throw tantrums, say no to everything, and do things that make us scratch our heads or trigger us into an emotional reaction ourselves.
So what can we do as parents to help them? Here are some suggestions:
- Be patient and empathetic. Remember that they are not trying to annoy us or be defiant. They are just struggling with their brain development and need our support and guidance. And maybe a hug. Or a cookie. Or both. Co-regulation and food are sometimes all it takes.
- Set clear and consistent boundaries. Our toddlers need to know what is expected of them and what the consequences are if they don't follow the rules. This helps them feel safe and secure and also learn from their mistakes. And trust me, they will make a lot of mistakes. Like drawing on the walls or flushing your keys down the toilet.
- Offer choices and alternatives. Our toddlers want to feel independent and in control of their lives. Instead of telling them what to do, we can give them options and let them choose. For example, instead of saying "put on your shoes", we can say "do you want to wear the red shoes or the blue shoes?" Or "do you want to wear shoes or go barefoot and step on Lego?"
- Praise their efforts and achievements. Our toddlers need positive reinforcement and encouragement to boost their self-esteem and motivation. We can celebrate their successes and acknowledge their challenges. For example, instead of saying "good job", we can say "I'm proud of you for sharing your toys with your sister." Or "I'm impressed by how you managed to climb on top of the fridge."
Using Lavenderbuddy previously in a calm setting then bringing him over for a Hug and Scent is very gentle and you don't need to use any words, just a Buddy, because you may not still be not be their favourite person at that moment depending on how long they like to hold a grudge.
To conclude, parenting a toddler can be challenging but also rewarding. We need to remember that our toddlers are not mini-adults but rather developing humans who need our love and guidance. By understanding their brain development and applying some of the tips I shared, we can make our lives easier and happier. And maybe even have some fun along the way. Thank you for reading my blog post and I hope you found it helpful.
Kathleen
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