Positive parenting

'The lion would like to be friends with the rabbit now.'

'It is time for them to have supper together now? What would they like to eat?'

'The soldier has killed all of the animals, what is he going to do now? Do you think he could go in the truck and take all of those bags to the fort?'

Play can help your child work out his anger and frustration, but it should not be allowed to escalate out of control or become so repetitive that your child's play becomes restricted and unable to develop. Your child needs to use play to learn how to understand the views of others, to be sociable and co-operative and to be able to control how he feels. Gently moving him on when he gets stuck, by positive guidance rather than restricting what he is doing, is by far your best approach.

More Toddler Troubles...

• Keep your relationship revved up
• Stop problem behaviour before it starts
• Increasing your child's self-confidence and self-esteem
• How can I be firm without losing my temper?
• Caring for more than one
• Nightmares and night terrors
• My child is a worrier
• Back to Toddler Troubles main page

Excerpted with permission of the publisher John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. fromToddler Troubles by Jo Douglas. Copyright © 2002 by John Wiley & Sons,Ltd. This book is also available at Wiley Europe, or by calling 44-1243 779-777.