Toddle talk: How to Understand your Toddler Better

Wait, what was that? Did he just say ‘mommy’? Parents are enthralled by each everything that their kids do, but the gold star goes to the their ability to articulate. Every parent yearns to hear the words spill out of their toddler’s mouth, especially the very first words. However, it is not always easy to comprehend the ‘aww’ and the ‘oee’ sounds that the toddlers make. This post will help you understand how you can comprehend your toddler’s speech and communicate better with him on a day-to-day basis.

Start with the Body Language

Children have a very specific body language when it comes to expressing themselves to their parents. Have you ever wondered how a mother quickly understands his infant’s needs, even when he’s just an infant? Body language can tell you a lot, especially in toddlers. So, if you are really interested to understand what your toddler’s talking about, start with the body language.

Understand the circumstance

Mostly when toddlers try to talk to you, they are trying to refer to a current circumstance or a situation. Understand the circumstance to understand your toddler. Be more involved with his daily activities to know how he communicates about everyday stuff. For example, when a toddler falls from an outdoor playground equipment he immediately reacts by crying or making a sour face. If you look at the circumstance, you will immediately understand what your child is trying to tell you.

Have an age-appropriate conversation

Would you ever feel comfortable talking to someone 15 years younger or older than you? You might engage in an uplifting talk, but you would never want to discuss the personal things. Your toddler feels the same way. He does not expect you to understand him; you have to make him feel comfortable about sharing things with you. On a daily basis, communicate with your child and even though you don’t understand the words, pretend to listen and respond. The daily conversations will let your child know that you are interested in what he has to say, and that he matters.

What if my child is not that expressive?

It is very common for children to be less responsive to parents, which can sometimes be worrisome. The non-responsive attitude in toddlers can be sometimes difficult to handle. Pediatric psychologists suggest that if your child is difficult to talk to, then there is a chance that he’s having communication issues. Many toddlers have a difficult time making affiliations with the other toddlers. Watch your kid as he plays around a commercial playground equipment along with other children and look out for any conflicting situation. Another approach that you can try is to have a talk with your child about his day-to-day activities and find out if there’s anything that is bothering him. If you understand his body language and the circumstance (as mentioned above), there is a pretty good chance that you will be able to resolve the issue.

For the strong foundation of parent-child relationship, it is important that you develop an understanding with your toddler. So, have the talk now to avoid future problems.