Competence
While your child still needs help with many things, there are lots of opportunities for you to help build their competence. Create situations for them to try out skills that build on one another and help them grow. Your child is reaching milestones every day, such as holding a cup and running. Be patient, let them practice, and support them (even when they struggle) to boost their independence.
Once your child starts walking and running, you may feel like you should be prepared to help with each step they take. While this is true, to some degree, you can give your toddler age-appropriate tasks that show them that they can do some things on their own!
- Create opportunities for them to learn skills that might be new or unfamiliar. Remind them that it may take a few tries before they are able (or feel confident) to do things by themselves.
- When you are feeding your 18-month-old, give them a spoon so that they can practice feeding themselves.
- Let your 2-year-old attempt to kick a ball. Cheer them on, even if the ball does not go very far or if they fall down.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Give them lots of opportunities to do the same task. Offer less assistance as they gain confidence and mastery of the skill.
- Have your child turn the pages of a book that you’re reading together, even if they flip multiple pages at a time. Tasks like this can help children build their fine motor skills and increase their patience, attention to detail, and ability to follow directions.
- Be patient, even if it’s easier and quicker for you to do things yourself. Giving your child opportunities like these helps them to build a strong work ethic and frustration tolerance, so let them practice!
- Once they start mastering some skills, try using two-step instructions, such as “first give me the red block, then pick up the yellow one.”
Have them explore!
Make sure that your little one has time to test out their own abilities, such as:
- Stacking blocks
- Completing simple wooden puzzles
- Dancing to music
- Communicating what they want or need by using words or gestures