Coping with a Toddler
Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008
In this last Tuesday’s Science Times section of the New York Times, I ran across an interesting article about toddlers. The article was not only amusing but had some very useful information and advice for parents and teachers. The article was a summary of a book written by a pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, called “The Happiest Toddler on the Block”. Dr. Karp also wrote the popular book, “The Happiest Baby on the Block”.
In his book on toddlers, Dr. Karp explains that one must first understand the brain development of the toddler. The Times article says “ Dr. Karp notes that in terms of brain development, a toddler is primitive, an emotion driven, instinctive creature that has yet to develop the thinking skills that define modern humans. Logic and persuasion, of modern parenting, are meaningless�” Montessori emphasized that we must understand that the brain of the child is not like ours. They do not have the sophisticated cognitive roadmaps that adults have and therefore take in and process information in a different way than adults. This then changes how we interact with children and guides us in how we communicate and what expectations we have for children. In the Montessori classroom this also guides us in how we set up learning environments and guide children through the use of the myriad of didactic materials available to them.
In his book, Dr. Karp goes on to give suggestions for how to best communicate to a toddler and cope with crying and tantrums. His suggestions, from a Montessori prospective, are valid and reflect much of what we do in the classroom and how we communicate to very young children. Especially the advice, “This means using short phrases with lots of repetition, and reflecting the child’s emotions in your tone and facial expression. And, most awkward, it means repeating the very words the child is using, over and over again”. The article goes on to give examples.
I have provided you with a copy of the Times article (in your mailbox) and would encourage families with toddlers to not only read the article but perhaps buy the book. At the end of the article Dr. Karp is quoted, “The thing about toddlers is they are uncivilized. Our job is to civilize them, to teach them to say please and thank you, don’t spit and scratch and don’t pee anywhere you want. These are the jobs you have with a toddler.” Amusing but so true!!!!
