The ‘terrible twos’ are a time when toddlers are realizing they are individuals separate from their parents. This could cause them to throw tantrums to get their own way especially when they realize their parents will give in to them. This is a wonderful time for both parent and child and you can begin instilling self-confidence to toddlers so that they will grow up with huge dollops of self-esteem.

Some parents will not realize the importance of instilling self-confidence in toddlers for they will still treat them as babies who will listen to whatever is told. However, a toddler is smart and will soon know that he need not stay in the place where he is put. He can crawl, climb and take the TV remote if he chooses to. Initially a toddler will always try to imitate those around him. So, of he is exposed to positive views, he will develop self-confidence.

Instilling self-confidence in toddlers takes just a few simple steps:
– Praise them often
– Show a lot of love
– Spend time with them
– Speak in soft kind tones
– Provide different activities
– Encourage friendships
– Provide choices

Make sure that you praise his positive actions like walking, eating up his food etc. Toddlers will relate to specific acts and when parents praise him for it, he will try and repeat them often. Remember to catch them doing good things and praise this. Babies learn through trial and error like anyone and when they realize there are right and wrong actions they will start making the right choices especially when parents praise them for it.

Toddlers always respond to physical displays of love – lots of kisses and hugs. Tell them often how much you love them and how marvelous they are. Nothing damages a toddler’s self-confidence more that negative vibes from his parents that show he is unwanted and unloved. This also includes spending quality time with them however busy you are. Do not just put them in a playpen and go about your work. Take time to go for a stroll in your own garden, sing to them, tell stories and rhymes, and point out birds and flowers to them.

Apart from spending quality time chatting and playing games with them, remember it is important to engage the entire family in some quality family time. This can be in the form of early morning chats cuddled in bed with Dad, Mom and siblings. It could also be having bedtime stories read to them and being tucked into bed. Let us emphasize the fact that it is important for Dads also to spend time with baby. So, if Dads are rushing to work in the mornings, they can do the bedtime activity so kids get close to both parents and feel loved and wanted by both.

The tone of voice is critical when speaking to toddlers. Soft, gentle tones are important when praising them. When correcting them, be firm and stern but not harsh, sarcastic or critical. Above all do not scream or hit your toddler. Remember that negative words and actions can scar the heart and is rarely forgotten. So, always deal with children with great love and patience. Toddlers are just discovering the wonders of the world around them and the positive views of their parents will go a long way to helping them grow up with self-confidence.

Kids always get bored very quickly and if they are not given different activities, they will start getting into mischief in order to entertain themselves or draw their parent’s attention. You do not have to invest in a lot of toys. Instead have some good creative activities, drawing books, modeling clay and such. Give your child different activities each day and keep away the rest so that every day they find new and interesting things to engage themselves.

Toddlers need to start interacting with other children so that they can develop social skills – an integral part of instilling self-confidence. So, you can either send them to the day care or cr