Anyone have any tips on caring for 2 year olds?

Question

In terms of what disciplines work well, what helps them to understand you better, making them listen, things that keep their attention, etc. Not regarding diapers or food or any of that.

Answer 1

They get distracted very easily so you need to have a large variety of things for them to do.

Sometimes this one little girl (she is 2) at the preschool I work at doesn't want to clean up her toys when I ask her too. What really has worked for me is to tell her that I'll help her pick them up. Sometimes she agrees to work with me but if she doesn't I usually start to take away priveleges like a few minutes of playtime outside.

Give lots of visuals to them. If you're trying to explain something, use a visual.

Also, they love when the attention is on them.

Maybe try doing some songs for different activities. The clean up song...for cleaning up. Or you could just make up some songs for different things.

Answer 2

From my experience, two year olds are beginning to figure things out on their own. So when mine was two I let him make some decisions for himself like what to wear and simple things like that. When it came time to clean toys up I would ask him to help and make it into a game that way he thought it was fun so it encouraged him to do it. When you get them on a regular routine that helps them as well because they get used to doing things at a certain time so there not confused about whats next and that helps to keep commotion down. These things worked for me and as far as discipline goes each child is very different. What works for one may not for another. I figured out what mine liked the best and took it away when he did something wrong. Then after punishment was over I would thoroughly explain in a way he could understand what he did wrong and if he did the wrong thing he would lose his privileges that he loved so much. It worked for me. Maybe this can work for you. I wish u the best of luck, Two year olds are a handful and it don't get easier when they get to be four, but mine is the love of my life and I'm sure yours is too!!!!!!Hope I helped.

Answer 3

Play games, so infant will learn rules, and fair play.

Hide and seek to start, and then finding things that are hidden under small cups.  Roll ball back and forth.

When baby does it right, show praise,when it doesn't, show dissatisfaction, or a "grown", or frown.  Baby will soon want to satisfy, and do what is expected.

Later, use strong "NO" when something is done, like hitting, or yelling.

Use your best praise when doing things right.  And, do not shout or lose your temper, keep voice under control, because infants soon learn to copy parent's behavior.

A loud, emotional parent, will often produce a loud and emotional baby. They learn with copy-cat behavior for a long time.

The terrible 2's can in part be moderated if the parent is calm and has conditioned the child to look for praise, not frowns for approval.

Because sometimes babies will "act out" even for negative approval, because negative attention, is better than no attention.

That's why parents have to learn when to ignore some things, when it's obvious baby is only seeking attention.  Then reward baby when it stops the negative behavior.

FYI, trainers of police dogs, learned that dogs learned better, when they stopped giving food rewards, and started giving their young dogs "game time" and playing with a ball.  

IMO, same logic should work for small children, who often look for activity, games, more so than food.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

One strong word of advice.... don't raise your voice..... They know when you are overly loud. Talk very soft and low... make them wonder what they are missing when they are talking... So if they are being loud... just talk as low as you can to get their attention.  

Answer 5

Keeping things simple but a lot of variety.  I find that if you are caring for just one child it's nice to just bring things out as the day progresses.  I find that this age likes routine and repetition.  Plan a simple schedule... reading time, play time, art time, sensory time etc.

This age loves sensory.  I use a plastic wading pool and use many different types of sensory materials from beans to water.  Supervise closely if the child is still a bit oral.

Playdough and plastic scissors or plastic knives are often a hit at this age.

Rhythm instruments and music from CD's or sing nursery rhymes etc.

As for discipline...planning ahead, being sure that the child is being fed and given proper sleep makes a big difference in behavior.  Time away/out does not really work at this age.  Redirection is your best bet.  Good luck!