Summary: Toddler Triggers One of the things in dealing with toddlers is being preemptive with behavior. There are certain things that can trigger behavior and if a parent is aware of them they can head off a potential melt down. Some are very basic, but may not be thought about in the midst of the fray. Hunger can be a basic trigger as well as being over tired. So a trip to the grocery store too close to nap or lunch time may result in bad behavior. Overstimulation may also cause behavior issues because the toddler cannot process anything else. Another behavior trigger for toddlers is boredom. This is an easy fix when you sense that your toddler is getting antsy, create an activity. Behavior also seems to slide when mom or dad is distracted so if a phone call needs to be made or another job needs to be done, take the time to get your toddler focused on something ahead of time. We discussed how important having a routine is for a toddler so taking them out of that routine may cause behavior issues because it is unfamiliar. The final trigger we will discuss is other children. Toddlers tend to be brilliant mimics because their brains are so programed for learning at this phase. Be ready when your toddler is around other kids, which is unavoidable, to deal with potential behavior that is picked up. Listen to today’s podcast for more on training toddlers.
