Parenting - Connecting with Your Child -Your Relationship with Your Toddler

Your Relationship With Your Toddler

Create a sense of safety, security and love in the relationship with your toddler by comforting and responding to their needs. When you do this, you will make it easier for your toddler to learn how to handle emotions such as happiness, sadness, jealousy or anger.

Sometimes toddlers will become frustrated or angry and will have a tantrum. A tantrum is a way of expressing these feelings. Stay calm and allow your toddler to express their anger without hurting themselves or someone else. Stay quietly nearby until your toddler calms down. Visit Temper Tantrums for more information.

Toddlers at this stage become very curious and start to "get into things". Allow your toddler to explore in a safe environment. When toddlers learn how to problem solve their confidence increases.

When you praise and compliment toddlers they feel loved and develop a positive self-esteem.

Your toddler will start showing affection by hugging and kissing you. Your toddler will feel valued and loved when you respond by hugging and kissing them too. By comforting and responding to your toddler, they will develop the qualities of caring, sympathy and assertiveness. These qualities will stay with your child for their entire life.

Relax, and don't worry about making mistakes. All parents learn by trial and error. Try to respond to your toddler in a warm, sensitive manner most of the time.

For more information on building a relationship with your toddler, visit Programs & Resources.

Parenting can be a challenge. We can help.

For more information or to speak with a Public Health Nurse, please contact

York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653
TTY 1-866-252-9933

Building A Relationship With Your Baby | Your Relationship With Your Toddler | Your Relationship With Your Preschooler | Your Relationship With Your Young School Aged Child