EXPECT TO BE LATE.

Maybe you had to wait for your toddler to "do it myself" (just try and stop them). Or, maybe they impressively filled a clean diaper just as you got into the car. Whatever the reason, this phase will make even the most punctual adult miss the mark occasionally. 

LOOK FORWARD TO A FEW FASHION STATEMENTS

Expect a few mismatched outfits, magic marker tattoos, sticker collages, and other various states of creative expression. In this phase you will choose not only your battles, but also which messes will just have to be tolerated. 

THEIR STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE HAS BEGUN.

Your first clue might be your toddler's three new favourite words: "me", "myself", and "I". Just remember, by letting them do some things "myself", they're not only learning new skills, they're also developing the confidence they need in order to move to the next phase.

Your two-year-old's changing ability is a crisis - for you, and for them. This is a season filled with uncertainty, imperfection and even failure as they struggle to keep up with all their newly developing skills. The way you consistently meet their needs, engage their senses, and provide discipline will help them develop confidence. 

THINKS LIKE AN ARTIST

You help them learn when you... ENGAGE THEIR SENSES

WANTS TO KNOW "AM I ABLE?"

You capture their heart when you ... DEVELOP THEIR CONFIDENCE.

IS MOTIVATED BY SAFETY

You coach their moral abilities when you ... RESPOND CONSISTENTLY.

YOUR THREE-YEAR-OLD IS CHANGING

PHYSICALLY

• Balances on one foot for 5-10 seconds

• Strings beads and cuts with scissors (the plastic kind)

• Walks upstairs with alternating feet

• Puts on shoes (Just don't try to correct them if they put the left on their right foot.)

MENTALLY

• May struggle to understand "real" from "not real"

• Unable to take the point of view of others 

• Lives in the present; has a limited memory of past events 

• Learns by putting things into simple categories 

VERBALLY

• Increasingly easier to understand 

• May struggle with some sounds: r, l, s, z, j, sh, ch, th

• Say over 1,000 words (but who's really counting anymore)

EMOTIONALLY

• May scream, through a tantrum, and show aggression 

• Enjoys both physical humour and simple jokes 

• Can express basic emotions when asked

• Can tell you what makes them happy or sad