Creating Strong Connections for your toddler
From bath time to eating to getting dressed – your toddler still relies on you. Your relationship with your child forms the foundation for the development of strong, caring bonds with others. Having supportive people in their life will help your toddler know that they have a safety net during the tough times and will be more likely to be resilient and bounce back from challenges.
1. Your child interacts with many people, especially if they are in a child care setting or organized social activities. Other people in your child’s life are important sources of support. Encourage these connections.
Did you know…
When your child has strong, supportive individuals in their life, they may be more likely to test their abilities and face challenges – knowing that these adults will be there to encourage and help them.
These individuals may be their child care providers, extended family, swim instructors, family friends, or the librarian at storytime.
Having these bonds can help your little one learn important life skills, such as how to be responsible, take turns, be empathetic, follow rules, and be fair.
Now that your little one is getting involved in more activities, they’re interacting with more and more children. Grab some phone numbers or email addresses from other parents and consider setting up playdates for your children.
Spending time with other kids helps to reinforce important skills like collaborating, listening, and problem-solving.
2. While you help your child build strong connections to people around them, remember to pay attention to how your child responds to new and unfamiliar situations and people. Each child has their own temperament, which can influence how they form these connections.
- Some toddlers are excited about unfamiliar things, while others are hesitant and need some extra time to feel comfortable.
- Temperament is not something that your toddler chose, so be mindful of how they are viewing and interacting with the world around them, as it may be very different from your own temperament or that of their siblings or peers.
If your little one needs a little extra time to get comfortable in new situations, give them the time they need.
- Spend some time with them and their new babysitter before you leave, will help your child understand that this new person is someone they can trust and feel comfortable with.
- Try giving them some time to play by themselves before or after they are introduced to new peers to help them deal with the new experience without being overwhelmed.