TODDLER
Why a Toddler Routine is Important
Schedules help toddlers lower stress and increase their confidence.
Escrito por
Dr. Harvey Karp
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TODDLER
Escrito por
Dr. Harvey Karp
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Doing the same thing every day may be boring to grown-ups, but for toddlers, predictable routines lower stress, increase confidence and even make them feel more intelligent.
Routines give children a sense of security, a sense of being smart and a sense of time. And they are important for toddlers at every stage!
So what is the best routine for toddlers?
By your child’s 1st birthday, you can start developing a daily toddler routine. Your child will recognise the patterns of the day (a nappy when he awakens, lunch when he sees you take out his special plate, a little massage before bed). Your consistency builds his sense of security, and that gives him the courage to explore the world.
Middle toddlers hate unexpected changes because they work so hard to figure things out (‘Come on! I just finally got it…Do not go changing it on me!’). That is why routines are such a huge bonus at this age. They fill your 2-year-old’s need for things to ‘follow the rules’ and be ‘just so.’
Mina, 2 1/2, wore a princess outfit complete with wings, crown, and ballet slippers to playgroup…every day.
Thirty-month-old Arnie loved his fireman hat so much that he insisted on wearing it to sleep for almost a year!
So, do not be surprised when your child rigidly demands the same food, same shirt, or same song every day; explodes if the peas touch the carrots or a guest sits in Daddy’s chair; and insists you start over—from page one—if you are interrupted in the middle of reading her Good Night, Moon!
It is common for 3-year-olds to suddenly notice they are weaker than almost everybody else. (That is why they love to point out that they are faster and stronger than babies!) Realising that they are vulnerable can trigger new fears and worries. Routines help these kids feel safe and secure.
Despite their worries, older toddlers no longer demand rigid daily routines. In fact, they love it when we throw silly variations into their routines (adding a crazy verse to a favourite song, making up new words as you read a beloved bedtime story, having a ‘picnic’ lunch on a blanket in the living room).
Life with a toddler may feel unpredictable, but even small toddler routines for certain parts of the day can make them (and harried parents!) feel a little more relaxed and agreeable. Here are a few toddler routines to try in your home:
Dummies: For young toddlers (under 24 months), sucking is a comforting routine.
Descargo de responsabilidad: La información en nuestro sitio NO es un consejo médico para ninguna persona o condición específica. Solo se proporciona como información general. Si tiene alguna pregunta o preocupación médica sobre su hijo o sobre usted mismo, por favor contacte a su proveedor de salud. La leche materna es la mejor fuente de nutrición para los bebés. Es importante que, en preparación para la lactancia y durante la misma, las madres lleven una dieta saludable y equilibrada. La combinación de lactancia materna y alimentación con biberón en las primeras semanas de vida puede reducir la producción de leche materna y es difícil revertir la decisión de no amamantar. Si decide utilizar fórmula infantil, debe seguir las instrucciones cuidadosamente.
