1. Sharing: Sharing of toys does not come so easy for a 2-years-old child. This is natural for them because at this developmental stage, this is when they develop a sense of ownership, which is the reason they don’t like sharing toys. They don’t have the understanding of possession at the stage, that’s why most of them don’t share. This is their ‘’Mine Stage’’ so it is parents’ responsibility to understand that they can’t force their child to share their toys but rather, parents should respect their child’s choices and decisions of not sharing and be patient with them. Also, parents should model sharing for their child to see by sharing snacks, food, books, toys with other kids and adults, gradually teach them the skills of sharing and let them learn at their own pace.
2. Patience: expecting your 2-years-old to be patient is very hard for them at this stage because when they want a thing, they want it ‘’now’’ they don’t understand what delay gratification all is about. So, punishing a child for wanting something especially lollypops, chocolates, is not welcoming because this is actually age-appropriate behavior’s. I encourage parents to use avoidance and distraction techniques for children at this stage.
3. Explore: At this developmental stage, children have a very strong desire to explore, which helps them satisfy their needs for control and be capable. When this need is not met in a child, that’s when you hear them say things like ‘’ mummy I can’t’’ or refusals to learn, try new things or give up on task so easily. I encourage parents to be patient and allow their 2-years –old to explore as much as they can by showing them ‘’where, when’’ that is within your set rules and boundaries. Also remember that exploring is part of childhood so, let your child be a child.
4. Tantrum: The reason why your 2-years –old throws tantrum is simply because they can’t express how they feel. The only way they express their emotions is throw tantrums. I encourage parents to be patient at the time because beating, smacking, yelling will not teach your child how to self-regulate their emotions. Try to understand and accept your child by putting yourself in their shoes. Empathize with your child without giving –in, so it doesn’t teach your child that mum will always give in anytime I throw tantrums. Be firm and be consistent and avoid anything that will trigger your child.
5. Experiment: Typical 2-years -old may not believe you when you tell them that the egg they’re holding will break if they drop it on the floor. The truth is because of their strong desire to learn and explore, your child will want to actually experience it for themselves by dropping the egg on the floor and if the egg did eventually break, they will try it a couple of times until they are satisfied that indeed, mummy said if I drop egg on the floor it will break, and I dropped the egg a couple of times and it did break. This is how children build self-confidence in themselves and build trust from their parents because mummy said it, and it happened.
