Understanding Toddler Behavior Development and Strategies for Positive Interactions

Behavior Development Rebecca Marangos, PT, DPT Blantyre, Malawi 2018

Objectives Describe the reasons a child may demonstrate a negative behavior Name three strategies to address toddler behaviors Describe typical behavior development from birth to 7 years old

Interactions Children develop through reciprocal interactions with parents, caregivers and their environment Behaviors are shaped through these interactions Children with responsive caregivers and stable, consistent environments are better able to navigate their worlds Stability and consistency then contributes to positive social emotional development

Behavior Take a moment to think about a behavior you have seen a child engage in that may be frustrating What is it?

Behavior Behavior is often defined as: Observable actions that we carry out in response to stimuli Toddlers will often engage in challenging behaviors such as: Hitting Throwing Biting Tantruming Toddlers go through phases of testing the limits

Behavior Some behaviors are typical and developmentally appropriate Problem Behaviors Toddlers are learning about what and how much they can control Reinforcement

Behavior Toddlers engage in challenging behaviors for a variety of reasons Difficulty communicating/lack of language Dealing with frustration and big emotions Difficulty coping with their environment Sensory difficulties To obtain something or- to escape from something

Control Typical power struggles occur during Eating Sleeping Toileting Transitioning

Behavior 0-12 months Everything will go in the mouth If they are crying, there is need Wary of strangers and may get upset when familiar people are not close by Babies will stare

Behavior 1-2 years More interactive No understanding of intentionality Curiosity wins Pull things down/apart Throwing Not able to share; parallel play Beginning to understand possession and developing a strong sense of self Tantrums

Behavior 3 years Independence Control Frustration May stutter or stammer May develop fears and phobias May confuse real and make believe Will begin to play cooperatively with peers but still has difficulty sharing

Behavior 4 years Critical Begin to understand the power of words Competitive Frontal lobe development May lie, tell extravagant stories, have imaginary friends Sense of self and independence continue to build Enjoy playing with peers

Behavior 5 years Rules Empathy Fears Failure, criticism Spooky things Attention span increases Begins to understand jokes Make their own decisions around dressing and eating

Behavior 6 years Know-it-all Tantrums Seek praise Seek to master new skills

Behavior 7 years Complaining Misunderstood Dramatic Empathy

Strategies Positive re-direction Modeling appropriate behaviors and language to use Clear/concise limits and boundaries Offer up choices/alternatives Distraction pick your battles! Sensory input (squeezes, stomping, deep breaths) Provide specific praise for appropriate behavior

Strategies Affirmative directions You can do ____________ or ______________ Transition warnings Take a break/quiet corner Ignore negative behaviors (when possible) Label & validate emotions Teach an emotional vocabulary Feelings chart

Bibliography https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/index.html https://www.heysigmund.com/developmental-stage/