From Tantrums to Talking: Dealing with Emotional Development at 23 Months
At 23 months, your child is entering the “terrible twos” stage – a time of rapid emotional development and increased independence. This can be both exciting and challenging for parents, as they navigate through their child’s tantrums, mood swings, and newfound ability to express their feelings. In this blog post, we will discuss the emotional development of 23-month-olds and provide practical tips for dealing with their changing emotions.
Understanding Emotional Development at 23 Months
At 23 months, your child is starting to understand and express a wide range of emotions. They are developing a sense of self and are beginning to recognize and label different feelings. However, they are still learning how to regulate their emotions, which can lead to frequent outbursts and tantrums.
One of the major milestones of emotional development at this age is the emergence of empathy. Your child is starting to understand the feelings of others and is becoming more aware of how their actions can affect those around them. This can manifest in behaviors such as sharing toys and comforting others when they are upset.
Dealing with Tantrums
Tantrums are a common occurrence at 23 months and can be triggered by a range of factors, such as frustration, hunger, or exhaustion. It’s important to remember that tantrums are a normal part of emotional development and are not a reflection of your parenting skills. Here are some tips for dealing with tantrums:
1. Stay calm: It’s natural to feel frustrated or embarrassed when your child has a tantrum in public. However, it’s essential to stay calm and not react with anger. Your child will pick up on your emotions and may escalate their behavior.
2. Validate their feelings: Instead of trying to stop the tantrum, acknowledge your child’s feelings and let them know that it’s okay to feel angry or upset. This can help them feel heard and understood, which can de-escalate the situation.
3. Distract and redirect: Sometimes, a change of scenery or activity can help defuse a tantrum. Try distracting your child with a toy or a book, or suggest going for a walk to calm them down.
4. Set clear boundaries: It’s important to set clear boundaries and consequences for unacceptable behavior. Consistency is key, and your child will learn that their actions have consequences.
From Tantrums to Talking: Dealing with Emotional Development at 23 Months
Encouraging Emotional Expression
At 23 months, your child is starting to use language to express their emotions. However, they may still struggle to articulate their feelings fully. Here are some ways you can encourage emotional expression:
1. Label feelings: Help your child learn to label their emotions by pointing out and naming how they are feeling. For example, “I can see you are feeling frustrated because you can’t reach your toy.”
2. Use books and games: Reading books and playing games that involve emotions can help your child learn to identify and express their feelings. Look for books that have characters experiencing different emotions, or play games like “Simon Says” that involve acting out different feelings.
3. Be a role model: Children learn by watching their parents. Make sure to express your own emotions and talk about how you are feeling. This will help your child learn that it’s okay to have and express emotions.
4. Give them space: It’s important to give your child space to express their emotions. Avoid dismissing or minimizing their feelings, and instead, encourage them to express themselves in a healthy way.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with emotional development at 23 months can be challenging, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience. By understanding your child’s emotional needs and providing them with a supportive environment, you can help them navigate this crucial stage of development.
Remember to stay patient and consistent, and seek help if you feel overwhelmed. With love and understanding, you can help your child develop healthy emotional skills that will benefit them for the rest of their life.
Summary:
At 23 months, children are going through a stage of rapid emotional development. They are learning to understand and express a wide range of emotions, but they may struggle to regulate their feelings, leading to frequent tantrums. As a parent, it’s important to stay calm, validate your child’s feelings, and set clear boundaries for unacceptable behavior. You can also encourage emotional expression by labeling feelings, using books and games, and being a role model. By providing a supportive and understanding environment, you can help your child develop healthy emotional skills that will benefit them for the rest of their life.