7 annoying toddler behaviours that are actually important
Ahh, toddlers. Or as I like to call them, small dictators. They’re caught midway between being almost old enough for kindergarten and the halcyon days of babyhood.
How on earth I managed to stay sane enough to parent four girls over the years, I’ll never know. Actually, I’m pretty sure I lost my sanity a long time ago.
Here are 7 toddler behaviour questions you might be asking …
1. Why do toddlers throw tantrums?
Why waste time with actual words to get what you want, when you can just pierce everyone’s eardrums instead?
Even though it isn’t pleasant, screaming, tantrums and shouting is actually totally normal behaviour for a toddler. According to Raising Children Network, toddlers scream because they are still developing their social and emotional skills.
So basically, they have all these feels but don’t quite know how to express them yet.
2. Why do toddlers whine so much?
Second to screaming, whining would have to be up there with the most annoying habits toddlers have. According to child psychologist Dr Laura Markham, whining is totally normal behaviour for toddlers. But she advocates looking a little deeper and addressing the issue at the core.
Perhaps the toddler doesn’t have the skills or resources to speak properly, maybe she feels powerless or is seeking a connection. Whatever the reason, it’s a completely developmentally appropriate toddler habit.
3. Why do toddlers insist on doing things by themselves?
You know when your toddler desperately wants to do something herself, but you know it’ll probably take three times as long? Getting into the car seat and putting shoes on are two instances that immediately spring to mind.
As frustrating as it is for us parents, the way toddlers ruthlessly pursue independence is not only normal, it helps them discover their skills and capabilities.
4. Why do toddlers always want what someone else has?
You can sense a toddler a mile off: follow the “That’s mine!” squeals and “I wanted that” yelps and in no time at all, you’ll find them.
Toddlers are renowned for wanting whatever they don’t have. While this is a pretty infuriating experience for everyone else, it’s also a significant developmental milestone which teaches them how to be assertive with their peers.
5. Why do toddlers ‘talk’ non-stop?
The other day I got told off by my toddler for not responding the way she wanted me to during one of her long monologues. Once toddlers work out how to talk properly … they can talk for ages!
As frustrating as it can be, it’s important not to stifle toddlers who enjoy a chat because it’s all part of their learning journey. But a pair of earplugs could come in handy.
6. Why do toddlers climb on everything?
What’s with all the climbing!? I would be lying if I told you that I didn’t remove *all* of the chairs for a period of my daughter’s life. The way she used to scale every item of furniture made me pull my hair out, often.
But of course, climbing is an important gross motor skill that toddlers need to develop, and according to a study, parents should provide opportunities which encourage them to do so. I’m not sure my chairs were the best learning resource, though …
7. Why do toddlers take catnaps?
Let’s finish off with a toddler habit to end all toddler habits – the catnap. You know, when you spend more than an hour desperately trying to wrangle your toddler to sleep? You finally get them down and make your ninja exit, only for them to wake up half an hour later. And they always wake up perky and refreshed – what is with that?!
As annoying as it is, catnaps are common, and research states that any nap of 30 minutes or more is still beneficial to the child. So in a nutshell: any nap is a good nap, no matter how small.
Darling toddlers – although they test us beyond our own perceived capabilities as parents, at the end of the day we love them for it. Because through their sheer determination, we can recognise their fighting spirit – and it doesn’t hurt that they’re pretty adorable, either.
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