How to Increase Cooperation Among Toddlers

I would like to share with you some tips on how we can increase cooperation from our toddlers, I know a challenge that many parents face it’s getting their children to listen to us. As a parent including myself, sometimes we can feel ignored, frustrated, or powerless with our children, the problem arises because adults and children are very different in many ways. 

As adults, we are goal-orientated, and children are process-oriented. As adults, we want to get things done and get on with the next task. By contrast, as Dr. Montessori identified, early childhood is a period of vast and varied exploration since young children live in the moment and at a slower pace than we do.

Young children experiment and constantly repeat tasks daily. Some examples would be how it feels to repeatedly jump off the armchair, how wet the bathroom counter can get, what happens if they repeatedly ask you the same question, what is like to repeatedly fill and dump out a bucket of sand, and so forth. Additionally, when they like what they are doing, they are less than enthusiastic about being told it’s time to stop. If they are safe and not acting against family rules, those moments of engrossed activity should be honored and not interrupted. They are the beginnings of treasured vital facets of development such as understanding cause and effect, developing concentration, and increasing physical coordination. 

We live in a busy world and parents have busy lives; times arise every day when you simply must have your child on the same page as you. Getting your child to listen is about getting him/her to cooperate with you, it's about connecting with your child so that he/she will be interested in joining you in what you need to do. Of course, no formula will bring you success with every child as every child is different and unique, and interacting with a child is a constant process of dealing with development.

Here are 3 tips that can be useful when you are looking for some cooperation from your toddler:

1. Get down to his/her level 

• Stop what you are doing and kneel to his/her height
• Say "look into my eyes"
• Speak softly, in this way your child can hear what you are saying

      2. Offer a choice 

• Try to do fewer things with your child, such as dressing, and move toward engaging your child with choices that involve growing decision-making abilities.
• When you offer a choice, make sure both options are ok for you.
• Give choices often, every choice you can give is empowering your child 

      3. Listen to your child since they are more likely to listen to you. 

• Give your child your full attention when they are talking to you by turning your face to your child and focusing on what they are saying
• Usually, what children want is to be heard and understood, not to have their problems solved by us. An emphatic "Oh! or "Hmm" may be all that's needed.

Cooperation is a form of respect, what these skills have in common is that they demonstrate respect for your child. 

-Ladybug Teacher