Bring On The Emotions
Give your child lots of love, affection, and attention. Keeping your child safe and well-cared for will help them feel secure and better able to deal with any sad or scary emotion that comes their way!
Your toddler still relies on you to take care of their basic needs: being fed, changed, and held. If these needs aren’t met, your child may feel distressed, causing them to cry, cling, or act out.
Some ways that you can help your little one to feel safe and supported include:
1. Putting lotion on them after giving them a bath – let them help rub it in!
2. Getting comfortable and cozy! Snuggle while reading a book together.
3. Paying attention to things that are interesting to them.
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- Getting on the floor to solve a favorite puzzle
- Dancing to their favorite music
4. Allowing your child to express overwhelming emotions without getting frustrated yourself.
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- Acknowledge and empathize with whatever is making your child upset
- Every child has their magic balm – whether it is an ice pack, extra band-aids, or grandma’s special lotion
Using positive facial expressions when they are upset can help reassure them that things will be better.