Stimulating socio - emotional development: 18 - 24 months

"Your child is increasingly aware of himself and his needs. The anxiety of separation from you is alleviated. The child enjoys various games together with you. He can often express disagreement or impose his will. Reactions to non-fulfillment of desires and limitations can be stronger than before. It takes time and patience for a child to find a way to postpone their needs and accept limitations."

Social feelings

Experiences that occur in activities with others trigger different feelings. They are sometimes strong and difficult to control.
In addition to joy or anger, the appearance of discomfort with failure, shame or envy can confuse a child. Your reactions, approvals or criticisms shape the child's feelings.
Help your child recognize his feelings. That way, he will feel better, strong feelings will be better controlled. The child will then be able to more easily recognize and respect the feelings of others.
Be careful when criticizing, name what you recognize that the child is feeling and give a brief explanation, connect it to the event.

Protest and lack of cooperation

You can expect your child to disagree with your demands more often. In this way he shows his independence, persistence in realizing his intentions, but also the difficulties of accepting restrictions and some rules.
Some of these reactions may be characterized by violent protests in the form of temper tantrum. Stay calm. Do not react violently and angrily. Your behavior aims to help the child to endure such moments more easily.
Make sure your demands and reactions are clear and consistent. Give an explanation for your actions. Point out the benefits of collaboration.
Sometimes you need to reconsider the rules. Excessive demands can cause resistance in the child and exacerbate behavioral problems.