How to get a 2 year old to like you?

Question

I have just started looking after my cousin who just turned 2, twice a week for about 5hrs, But before this, I didnt see her very often, and when I first get there, she is very timid and not happy I am there,

After half an hour or so we are buddies and i get lots of cuddles and its great, but is there any way I can get her to warm up to me a bit quicker and easier?

Also any ideas on stuff I can do with her.. with just us, other than peek a boo, which she loves, but I think she might get tired of it soon.

Answer 1

i know how that is. my cousins are 3 and 5 and they dont warm up to me until about an hour after i get to their house to visit them. just be patient. play with her, read, and go outside for a walk or somthing. she might even start to look forward to you visiting!!

Answer 2

just show your love.

They can sense it.

Answer 3

Play with him and like it. Babies are good at picking up on feelings.

Answer 4

Give it time. She has to learn that she can trust you and you are a safe place for her. Just keep being playful and loving toward her. Try singing songs...make them up invoving your names. Let her help you with cleaning, playing in the sink water, catch a plastic ball, read to her and make it exciting, teach her ABC's. They're never to young for education.

Answer 5

BOOKS......children of all ages love to be read to.  Get some books and when you get to her house hold them in your hand dangling your arm down so they are at her level.  Don't say anything about them and talk to whomever like normal.  She will notice and may come over to look THEN say "Would you like to pick one and i'll read it to you?"

Best of luck.....all children love attention.  

Answer 6

Get a puppet! just be careful not to scare her :P

Answer 7

get down on her level and smile, you seem like you have it down. she will ease up-2 year olds are very timid and it says a lot that she will warm up in a half hour. Try to make her laugh and find other things she enjoys to loosen her up-maybe singing a song she likes or tell her a story. or you could always give her a treat!

Answer 8

When you come and she is shy, offer to take her to look out of the window, or bring her some insignificant toy. Distraction works great at this age.

Oh, and there is so much to do with a 2 year old. They love play doh, drawing with crayons, and hide and seek. You can try counting (fingers for example, 10 little monkeys etc) They can learn alphabet at this stage. Songs, nursery rhymes are great.  You can also name things and recite names of people (like mamas name, papas name, etc) They love picture books, esp the ones with babies. You can look at photographs of the family and have her point out where is mommy, daddy, etc.

They also love pupet show, you dont have to be fancy, it could be old socks with drawn eyes, etc.  They also like to have physical activity, run after eachother to play catch, playing pretend with dolls.  

Answer 9

Do things to make her laugh. I used to think i had to be very careful and gentle with toddlers, which you do, but not to the extent that i thought. they like to be spun around and tossed (carefully) onto sofas and such.. maybe try more physical activity than just peek-a-boo. hope things work out well.

Answer 10

The difference between a good babysitter and a bad babysitter  is that the good babysitter engages and is involved in exploring/learning/having fun with the child Vs. simply spectating while his mom/dad is away.  Two simple things to try when you walk in the door is to praise her and make a big fuss - be energetic - it'll hopefully be contagious.

Some ideas for you to try: 1) art projects (bring anything - paper, crayons, stickers, ..you can look some ideas up online too (try www.childfun.com)  Keep it simple..like cutting shapes out then have her use a glue stick to glue the shapes on another piece of paper.  For special occassion try using some copies of photos of her and make a collage.  2)  Books...reading is always a favorite for little ones  3) Music/Singing/Dancing  4) Dress-up/Make-up - can get messy but little girls (even at age 2) love playing make believe and they love to paint your nails (do it outside in the grass). Structure and some planning will make your time go by quickly (5 hours is long) and both of you will start to have some fun (it won't seem like work anymore).  Try to keep to the same routine everytime (i.e., play time, project time, clean up time, quiet/snack time, then maybe movie time?)  Good Luck!! :)

Answer 11

You don't need to worry about this too much.  She will get use to you in the long run.  Just when you get there let her come to you.  Give her space.  As for things to do with her: color, make crafts, play with her dolls (dress up), tea party.  Just a few things.  Good luck!  

Answer 12

its really nice of you to do that and I'm sure her family appreciates it you might be able to get her to like you more if when your not babysitting ask if you could hang out with her so she can get to know you more too. and if your looking for something to do just go play outside (if possible) or go the the park or watch a dora movie or something with her, im sure that will make her warm up easier