When it comes to two-year-olds, it is like speaking a foreign language. If you tell them to do one thing, they will probably do the opposite. With that being said, it is important to find ways to encourage them to cooperate while allowing them to do things for themselves. Here are some tips for two-year-old child care in Greenville, NC: 
Two-year-olds are in the preoperational stage of cognitive development. At this age, they learn by repeating behaviors, especially those that result in a big reaction. For example, maybe your child has picked up an ugly word that they heard from another person. If you give them a huge reaction, they will repeat it so they can see you react that way again. Two-year-olds don’t completely understand that the word is making you upset, they are just focusing on how interesting your reaction is. Instead of making a big deal out of unwanted behavior, ignore it. If it seems as if they are trying everything in their power just to get your attention, acknowledge it by saying something like, “It seems like you are trying to get my attention. Can you try again in a better way?”
Putting a two-year-old in charge of something will help you gain their cooperation. Whatever you need to do, assign them a small duty so they can be a part of it. Let them push the button to open the garage when you leave the house or leave them in charge of returning lost toys to their basket. If we allow toddlers to help, even if it just adds to the mess, they will be more likely to volunteer around the house when they are older.
Sometimes tasks that already seem extremely simple to us need a bit more explanation for toddlers. Instead of just asking your child to put on their shoes, break it down into a few steps. Making the task feel fun will make them more inclined to do it next time rather than refusing. Ask them to hop over to their shoes like a bunny, and let them choose which shoes to wear. Make it playful: “Where does your shoe go? On your head? On your nose? Oh, your feet! Can you show me how you put them on your feet?”
Two-year-olds are learning what emotions are, but they are not quite sure how to express them properly just yet. As parents, we must teach them to name their emotions and that emotions are meant to be felt. However, the ways in which they express their emotions are sometimes not okay. You can say, for example, “It’s okay to be angry, but it is never okay to hit.” Acknowledge their emotions and help them understand them, while telling them that it is okay to feel that way.
At Children’s World Learning Center, we know that the early years of life matter because early experiences affect the brain. As a child’s brain grows, the quality of the experiences that a child has creates either a sturdy or fragile foundation for all of the development and behaviors that follow. Parents want to make educated choices for their families, and getting things right the first time with child care in Greenville, NC is better than trying to fix them later. Contact us today!
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