Parenting 
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Positive parenting

by Jo Douglas
continued from page 2
Joining in
Most children show some aggression in their play, so rather than trying to stop it because it worries you, it seems far better to allow your child to carry on as long as it doesn't accelerate into physical hitting or swearing. He may need help to calm down a bit if he is getting over-excited so both you and he need to know the limits. If you join in the play and become one of the characters you are in a better position to be able to oversee what is happening. Try out the following ideas:

'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...

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.

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