Behavior and Guidance for
Infants and Toddlers

• Room Arrangement: The environment should be set up without “no-no’s,” allowing children to explore freely. Appropriate and duplicate toys and board books should be displayed on low shelves that are not cluttered.
• Social skills: It is natural for young children to experiment and use hitting, kicking and biting.  They are not being “naughty”--they are learning about their worlds and what they can control.  Instead of becoming angry at the child for being physical, use the conflict as a learning experience. Try saying, “It’s not okay to hit. Do you want  to play with that toy? Ask him if you can have it when he’s done.”
• Modeling Language: Beware of the words you use.  Think of alternatives to “no.” Instead of “No, no, don’t climb on the table,” try “Tables are for eating. If you want to climb, you can climb on the slide.”
• Redirect: Redirection should be your main guidance technique with infants and toddlers. Providing a new toy or choice can help a child move on from conflict. Stay away from using phrases like, “Walk away.” Use direct language like, “Amy doesn’t want you to take her toy. Can I help you find another toy to play with?”
• Choices and Logical Consequences: Giving choices and logical consequences whenever possible helps the child develop self-control as well as thinking skills. Try, for example, “I need to change your diaper. Should I change you now, or after you finish with that toy?” If the child does not want you to change the diaper, give the child a warning that you will be back to change it.

Acknowledge and encourage children’s feelings: Giving children the words to express their feelings not only increases their language skills, but also helps their emotional development. For example, “You are mad she took your toy. Tell her you want the toy back.”