| Wednesday, 21-May-2008 12:00 |
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Muhammad Amsyar Sallehin - 21 Months Old-weeks 4
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New fears
Your toddler's blossoming imagination can lead to a host of new fears now. Insects and water are two common ones. Don't try to talk your child out of his fears with statements like, "There's nothing to be afraid of; bugs can't hurt you." For starters, it's not true — some bugs bite and others are dangerous — and it dismisses your child's feelings. The best approach now is to acknowledge your child's fears and stay calm yourself. Say things like, "I know you don't like bugs. I'll move that one away from you." If you're afraid of bugs, too, resist the urge to screech and run away. Your toddler is watching your behavior carefully, and you could inadvertently set the stage for a lifelong fear. If water is the problem, you can encourage your toddler to dip his feet in at the edge of the ocean or pool, but don't force him. You want to keep his interactions with water pleasant.
biting
Has your toddler started biting? Toddlers bite for a variety of reasons, and understanding why may help you put a stop to it. Some children bite because they're curious and wonder, "What will happen if I bite my friend?" Others bite when they are frustrated, are angry, want attention, feel threatened, or simply want to imitate something they saw a playmate do. Toddlers also tend to bite when they're teething, since the pressure of biting can relieve some of the pain of emerging teeth. If your child has a history of biting, you're probably aware of the situations that provoke it. If he bites out of anger or frustration, your job is to intervene before he gets to that point. Offer solutions to the problem. Saying things like "Here, let me find you a toy to play with" reinforces the rule that hurting other people is not okay.
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