YOUR social butterfly
How can you teach your toddler the ins and outs of social graces?
Do you remember the days before you were a parent, when you would shake your head and purse your lips when witness to a badly behaved toddler? So, how do we ensure that our toddlers will have the necessary social graces and learn to behave?
TIME TO GET SOCIAL
According to Dr Melodie de Jager, author of Babygym, the emotional brain, which mainly drives behaviour, matures at around the age of four years. This is why it is so important to expose your child in the first years of her life to lots of social experiences such as play dates, shopping and church outings, family events and community activities so that you will be able to teach her how to behave around other people.
MAKE FRIENDS
See outings to moms and tots groups or friends as a developmental date with your toddler where you will be able to teach her right from wrong, social norms and kindness and consideration to other people. Make it a habit to discuss your outing or event with your toddler before you leave home to prepare her.
CLEAR THINGS UP
Explain to her what your expectations of her are, for example, “We are not allowed to throw balls inside the house.” Warn her that there will be a consequence to her action if she doesn’t listen: “If you throw the ball inside, I will take it away.” Your body language will give your child a cue how to behave in certain instances, such as not pulling things off the shelves and throwing them onto the floor when shopping, or gently patting an animal to say hello at a friend’s house. Whenever you discuss anything with your toddler, get down to her level and maintain eye contact with her. This will make her feel safe and secure.
MAKE IT A TEAM EFFORT
Toddlers love to be involved in household chores and even though it will be quicker to finish the job on your own, understanding and following the rules of orderliness – “Put your cup into the sink when you are finished with it”– will help to organise your toddler’s brain for every learning opportunity that comes her way (as well as being a help to you).
Praise and encouragement for good behaviour that pleases you will enhance your toddler’s feelings of accomplishment and wellbeing.
One of the most exhausting tasks of parenting is that good behaviour has to be taught, reinforced and acknowledged constantly. Yes, you will feel like a stuck record at times, but persevere, it will be worth it! YB