POWER
PLAY
Most experts define the toddler phase as being from around Rosie one to two years old but, generally speaking, once your little one is up on their feet toddling about they are officially a ‘toddler’. This is a period of enormous growth and change; 90% of the brain’s development happens between the ages of one and four years old! It is a time when your child will reach major milestones, such as walking, talking, using the toilet, interacting with peers and becoming increasingly independent. As any of you with toddlers at home will know, it is also commonly referred 44 somethingNew THE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR DORSET FAMILIES
to as ‘The Terrible Twos’ – a most apt name as this phase of development is notorious for sudden rages, stubbornness, eruptive tantrums, meltdowns, biting and many other undesirable behaviours. So why are toddlers so tricky? Well, to start with, they are highly egocentric and are only just beginning to develop an awareness of others and how they feel. They only see the world from their own perspective; what they want, they must have now! When they can’t have what they want, they can become highly emotional and can erupt with big feelings! Communication (or lack of it!) will also be a source of frustration for them.
