We’ve all heard stories about 2-year-olds long before we have to parent one. But what should you really expect?
“Terrible twos” may be a catchy phrase, but is it really true?
Many child development specialists believe that the idea of the “terrible twos” is deeply exaggerated. Some research has suggested that how parents react to very common developmental changes at this age is a greater influence on how easy or difficult their children turn out to be.
The bottom line: There’s both truth and myth at play behind the notion of the terrible twos. See how many behaviours of 2-year-olds that can be seen as exhausting and negative actually reveal some wonderful positives about your child.
Easily Frustrated ... But Also Facing Many Exciting Changes
Your 2-year-old can seem moody, changing lightning-fast from cheerful to meltdown. But this is a time of continuing major cognitive, motor, and social changes. They realize there’s a big, interesting world out there. They may want to do things that they see older children or adults doing, but their interests often go beyond their physical strength and skill or their ability to understand.
What helps Set them up for success. Provide age-appropriate activities and toys that challenge them without being too easy or too hard.
Always Getting Into Things ... But Also Curious and Smart
Those scattered toys, emptied kitchen drawer, or scribbling on the walls aren’t the results of wilful disobedience. They’re all signs of your toddler’s deep interest in what things are and how they work. Your toddler is like a detective pulling together clues about the world around them. (Or sometimes, pulling them apart!)
What helps: Create a “yes” environment so your 2-year-old can play and explore without getting into situations that cause you to say no or get upset.
Testing Limits ... But Also Learning the Rules
When your toddler keeps doing something after you’ve said no, it’s another form of learning. They are trying to find out if I do it one more time, do you really mean stop? If I do it again, will you follow through on your warning?
What helps: Establish limits and follow through every time. Consistency helps children learn discipline as they make their way through the terrible twos.
Oppositional and Needy ... But Also learning to be Independent
During the terrible twos, your toddler is discovering their own will, needs, and desires. That’s the root of the word “no.” It’s a powerful way your 2-year-old can declare that they are their own person, separate from you. That’s a heady feeling that makes them feel good—even when they disagree with things they normally like!
What helps: Let your child exert some control over their life by offering limited choices in place of making commands: “Do you want the red cup or the blue cup?” “These socks or those?” They shouldn’t be big choices (“Do you want to go to preschool?” “Do you feel like a nap?”). Your budding independent child still needs you to take care of the big decisions in their life. But by feeling that they have some say in things, they may be less likely to oppose you.
And on great days when all goes well, you may wonder why they don’t call the terrible twos the “terrific twos.”
Reference
- Data on file