Child Development Question and Answer

I thought I would do something a little different today for my Child Development post.  I began by asking moms on Twitter what Child Development questions they would like answered.

Is it normal for my 15-month-old to throw tantrums and hit his head on the wall?

Toddlerhood is the beginning of the temper tantrum phase, so not only are tantrums common at 15 months, but they are also completely normal.  While the best response to a tantrum is often to walk away or ignore the behavior, it is critical that you keep your child safe.  Move any sharp or hard objects out of the way of their kicking legs and flailing arms, and certainly do what you need to in order to keep your little one from banging his head on the wall!

Why does my three-year-old so often lose confidence, and what can I do about it?

Pre-schoolers often struggle with finding confidence in themselves as well as their choices about the world around them.  To help your child build more self-confidence begin by showing them plenty of love and attention as well as offering praise when praise is due.  It is also important to let her know that you take her emotions and thoughts seriously.  Try not to be dismissive, even if her ideas seem silly.  Another great way to build her confidence is by giving her jobs around the house.  Can she carry the napkins and silverware to the table each night for dinner?  Perhaps she can help feed the cat.  Responsibility is a great way to build self-esteem.

What is the average age for a child to speak in complete sentences with a subject, verb, and object?

Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, children should be speaking in phrases that are at least three words long, but that does not guarantee proper sentence structure.  Children are often past their third birthday before they are able to communicate clearly with all of the necessary components of a sentence.

When is the whining phase for kids and how can I avoid it?

Unfortunately, children of any age can be whiny, so as soon as your child finds his words, get ready for whine.  At most ages the cause of whining is a feeling of frustration and a sense that the world is an overwhelming place.  Mirror the sound of whining back to your toddler so that they understand exactly what it is that you are asking them to stop doing.  Also, try to prevent the whining by showing your toddler plenty of attention and one on one time.  Pre-schoolers also whine out of a sense of frustration, but they respond much better to logic and consequences.  Much like a time out, pre-schoolers can be asked to spend time in their rooms until they are able to speak in a normal voice.  They may also respond to rewards and punishments.  In all cases the key is to be consistent.

photo credit: Alexander D. Rachmann

When Amy Lupold Bair is not searching for content ideas on Twitter as @ResourcefulMom, she is writing on her own site, ResourcefulMommy.com.

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4. Keeping Track of Child Development
5. Introducing New Child Development Editor