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How to Help Your Toddler Make and Keep Their New Year's Resolutions

1/1/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Ok, so I'm not really going to tell you to sit your toddler down, explain what New Year's resolutions are and have them plan their next 12 months.  But it is a fun idea. ;)  What I do want to encourage you to do, is to think about how you can be a proactive parent this year.

What is Proactive Parenting?

In simple terms Proactive Parenting means evaluating where your children are in terms of emotional, social, intellectual and physical development and focusing your parenting efforts towards encouraging their development.  
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Help Your Toddler Make and Keep Their New Year's Resolutions by Nikki Schwartz at OaktreeCounselor.com
Photo Credit: thejbird via flickr
What is your child capable of at the moment?  What are most children their age capable of at this age?  Is your child advanced in any area of development that you could continue to nurture and encourage?  Do you notice any delays?  (If you do, don't panic, children develop at their own pace and their is a wide range of what is considered "normal".  Pay attention to these areas over the next few months and evaluate with your pediatrician, if necessary).

What is the "Zone of Proximal Development"?

The Zone of Proximal Development is a very technical term for the difference between what your child can do on their own, independently, and what they can do with your help.  This is the ideal place to focus your efforts.  What can your little one do with a little help?  Encourage them to try things on their own, but avoid challenging to the point of frustration. 

Sometimes this means demonstrating how to do something, sometimes it means doing most of a task and letting them finish the last few steps.  For example, if your toddler is learning zippers, start the zipper and zip it half way, letting them finish the rest.  If they have difficulty grasping the zipper, try holding their hand over the zipper and let them direct the motion.

What about emotional and social development?

I frequently encourage parents to examine which psychological needs are highest for their child and work at meeting those needs in subtle, but proactive ways.  This infographic on basic psychological needs helps explain what each of these needs looks like.  In a future post, I'll be writing more about what this looks like.

So, what New Year's Resolutions is Your Toddler Setting?

This was really a fun post to write.  What proactive steps will you be taking this year with your child?  Let me know in the comments.  I love to hear what you think and thoughtful comments are always welcome.  Happy New Year!

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree Counseling and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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  • Home
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    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
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    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
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