The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block 2-Book Bundle pdfdrive com

After the FFR … It’s Your Turn!
Emotions and learning are like oil and water … they don’t mix! That’s
why the moment when your toddler is struggling to escape the car seat
is not the best time to give him a lecture about deaths on the highway.
Even adults become more unreasonable and illogical when we’re upset.
So it should be no surprise that your toddler can’t hear you until the
tidal wave of his emotions starts to subside. When your child enters
caveman mode, energetically acknowledge his dismay, and then, once he
calms a bit, you can try to distract him, reassure him, or solve the
problem. Here are some other things you might do and say when it
becomes your turn:
• Be physical. Offer a hug, tousle his hair, put a hand on his
shoulder, or just sit quietly together.
• Whisper. Whispering is a fun way to change the subject and
reconnect.
• Give options. “We can’t have soda, but how about some yummy
juice?”
• Explain your point of view … briefly. Save important lessons
for a calm time, later on, when he can pay better attention.
• Teach how to express feelings. “Make a face to show me see
how sad you are,” or “When I’m mad, I stomp my feet, like
this….”
• Talk about how emotions feel, physically. “You were so mad,
I bet you felt like your blood was boiling!” or “When I’m scared,
my heart goes boom boom like a drum.”
• Grant your child’s wish … in fantasy. (This is one of my
favorites.) “I wish I could vroom up all the rain and we could go
outside and play right now!”
• Give a “you-I” message. Once the dust settles and it’s your turn

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to talk, very briefly share your feelings using a “you-I” sentence
to help your toddler learn to understand the feelings of others:
“When you kick Mommy, I feel mad!” or “When you call me
‘stupid,’ I feel very sad inside.”