One of the greatest joys of parenting is watching your baby grow up and become more independent. Though they’ll still need help in certain areas, things can be made far easier by them obtaining new skills. As a parent, you can show your appreciation through rewards. Consider rewarding your toddler for learning these three skills.
Picking Up Toys
If your toddler is old enough to take their toys out, then they’re old enough to put them away. You shouldn’t be expected to pick up after them after playtime. When they form positive associations with putting their toys where they belong, then they will be less likely to lose their favorite action figure or worse, flush a stray toy down the toilet.
Show them how to put their toys away and make your expectations clear. When they develop a habit of regularly following your instructions, you can reward them. They should also understand that rewards are given as you see fit and that they should be picking up their toys not to get a reward but because it’s the right thing to do. As they get older, taking accountability can become second nature for them.
Using the Toilet
The end of diaper changes is something all parents look forward to. Potty training isn’t easy, but the results are definitely worth your time. It can be a hectic time for your toddler, so you need to make sure that you’re encouraging them as much as possible.
Not only can rewarding your toddler during their potty training reinforce what they are learning, sometimes potty training rewards can provide some unexpected stories to look back on. It can be a great motivator for them to know that being able to use the toilet will have an immediate payoff, and their new independence will be a relief for you, too.
Good Manners
If you’ve ever met someone with extraordinarily good manners, know that they didn’t get to be that way by accident. Manners are often ingrained at a young age by parental figures. Your toddler should be instructed to treat others with kindness and consideration. They should learn to not interrupt, say “please” and “thank you” and to be patient whenever possible. Polite people make being considerate to others look easy because it comes to them naturally. By teaching your toddler manners, you can bring them into that very special group.
Each of these skills is crucial to your toddler’s development. They represent their transition out of infancy and into maturity. Even if they still have a long way to go in other areas, you can be proud of them for how much of a leap these skills give them. By rewarding them, you can show that you recognize their achievements and are rooting for them.
Teaching children good practices early on can save a lot of problems in the future. One of the most rewarding things for children to learn early in their lives is the importance of knowing about money. Homey is there to help you and your family learn more about financial literacy and planning!