Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Videos you might be interested in
Suggested for you
20 Good Manners to Teach Your Kids
It is never too early to start teaching your child the importance of good manners and etiquette. Children at a young age have incredibly absorbent brains. They remember what they are taught with clarity and their minds absorb everything much faster than they would at a later age.
Manners and etiquette in children is an indicator that they have been brought up well. Teaching good manners to kids may be quite a task, but make sure not to lose patience with your child. After all, being patient is also good etiquette. And kids learn from adults being good role models. Therefore, it is important that we as adults and parents exhibit the best manners in front of our children, so that they can watch and learn.
Instilling good manners in your child also makes him or her an overall pleasant person, polite, kind and more likely to succeed in life. In this article, we will look at a list of 20 good manners that your child should know and learn.
Why Children Should Be Taught Good Manners
Children with good manners always have an edge over others, whether it is academically or socially. Here are some ways in which good manners benefit children.
1. Boosts Self-Esteem
Being rewarded for having good manners and seeing a positive impact of their behaviour in the real world makes children feel more confident. Feeling worthy of respect is a great confidence booster.
2. Social Life
Kids that are generally rude or aggressive attract the wrong kind of crowd, whereas kids who treat their peers and friends kindly and with respect are more popular and attract more loyal people who mirror their behaviour. Good manners lead to stronger and more positive relationships.
3. Better Opportunities
Well mannered children stand out from the crowd and are handed better opportunities in their academic life, as well as career. Polite people are likely to be employed and grow faster in their career
4. Happiness
Doing one good deed or seeing a positive response from someone gives people a sense of happiness and satisfaction, and they are likely to repeat this behaviour, building a habit. Good manners result in happier children.
Good Manners You Must Teach Your Children
1. Saying ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’
This is one of the first basic manners to teach your child. The importance of saying ‘please’ when asking for something and ‘thank you’ when receiving something should be instilled in children, from the start. Put this into practice at all times, so it will eventually come naturally to them.
2. Asking before Taking Anything
Children should learn to ask permission before taking anything that is not theirs, even with people like Mom and Dad. They should also be taught to return anything they have borrowed, with proper thanks.
3. Saying ‘Sorry’
Along with ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, saying sorry when you have done something wrong is also an important habit to instil in your child. Teach your child when and where to say sorry, and not use it casually. Empathy is a skill they have to imbibe.
4. Knocking on Doors Before Entering
Kids should be taught that privacy is paramount, especially at home. They should know that it is respectful to knock on someone’s door and ask permission before entering the room. Doing so in front of your kids will help them pick it up as a good habit.
5. Covering One’s Mouth When Sneezing or Coughing
Teach your kids to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. Also, teach them that picking one’s nose in public is considered rude and unpleasant. This is not only a part of good manners, but also hygiene.
6. Saying ‘Excuse Me’
This is another basic manner for children to learn. Children are naturally impatient, so they have to be taught to say ‘excuse me’ and ask permission to talk. They should also know when and how to enter a conversation without interrupting anyone.
7. Not Making Fun of People
This should be taught very early on, as if it is not, children might think it is okay to make fun of people. They should be taught that it is never okay to hurt someone’s feelings by making fun of them or bullying them in public or private.
8. Phone Etiquette
Your child should know how to talk on the phone and also be silent and listen when someone on the other end is talking. This will help make him/her leave a good impression on people.
9. Showing Respect to Elders
Adults have been on this Earth since a longer time, and kids should be taught that experience leads to wisdom and wisdom leads to respect. They should be taught to show respect to their parents, grandparents, teachers, and any other adults they encounter. One way of doing this can be by always serving food to the elders, before the kids, or giving up a seat on public transport to an older adult, while your kid is watching. They will know that showing deference to age indicates good manners.
10. Learning and Remembering People’s Names
Using and remembering someone’s name shows that you have made an effort to recognise and remember them. Teach your kid to remember a friend’s name or family member’s name by using it often with him or her.
11. Not Pointing or Staring at People
To teach your kids that pointing and staring at someone is rude, tell them that if they point at someone, three fingers will always point back at them. You can use that as a base to teach them to be aware of other people’s emotional space. Asking them how it would feel if they were pointed at or stared at is also a step to getting them thinking.
12. Being Kind to People with Disabilities
Children are naturally curious about everything, so if they see a person with some disability, they would point and stare, ask questions loudly, or even be scared. They should be taught that such people with disabilities are just like everyone else and should be treated with the same consideration.
13. Being a Good Guest
Teach your kids to be considerate and polite when visiting their friend’s homes. They should know how to be adaptable to the other family’s schedules, not be stubborn or fussy with the food served and to express their preferences without being vague. Kids should also be taught to greet hosts well, when visiting their homes.
14. Having a Conversation the Right Way
Children should learn that yelling, shouting and screaming are not the right methods to communicate. No matter how angry or irritated they are, they should be taught to speak softly and put their point across. You can help your child to learn this by doing the same in front of them. Also, teach them to wait until the other person is done talking, before taking their turn. This will also make your kids listen to you.
15. Being Compassionate and Helpful
Learning to show compassion and being helpful should become a habit to children. It will make them feel really good about themselves and also help them be well-liked by others. You can teach them things like holding the door open for people who have their hands full or helping parents and teachers with chores.
16. Learning to Share
This habit becomes very important for kids when they play with others. They should be taught that sharing is caring and to share their toys or food. You can start teaching this quality by incorporating the act of sharing when you play with them and point out that doing so adds to the fun.
17. Cleaning Up After Themselves
Kids can be messy eaters or not put away their clothes or toys properly after using them. To inculcate the habit of cleaning up in them, you can teach them to rinse their dishes in the sink after eating or ask them to help with household chores. They will automatically learn to clean up, as time goes by.
18. Be Honest
Start teaching kids to be honest and not tell any lies, from a young age. These are core values that need to be inculcated in your children. Make sure that they stick to what they’ve said. If they make empty promises, sit them down and explain why it is important to tell the truth. Be firm and tell them that honesty is the best policy. Moral development is significant, from early on.
19. Establishing Eye Contact with Others
Maintaining eye contact while having a conversation indicates social confidence and respect for people. Teach this to your kids by spending quality time with them and practising eye contact while speaking. If they learn this ability, they will grow up to have good social relationships with people.
20. Never Using Foul Language
Foul language is highly disrespectful and unpleasant. Kids should be taught never to use foul language in front of anyone, even if they have heard it on TV or outside somewhere. It is an essential habit to learn. Sit them down and explain why it is not okay to use such language.
How to Teach Your Child Good Manners
As a parent, you also have a huge responsibility to understand the importance of good manners in children and make sure your child grows up with them. You can use the following pointers to set your child on the right path to learning good manners.
The first step is to have all those good manners yourself. Children look up to parents as role models. If you want your child to have good manners, make sure to practice what you preach in front of them. Even in moments of frustration, don’t let your manners slip in front of your children.
Manners like being polite, knocking on doors, cleaning up after one’s self, dining table etiquette, and so on, can be practised at home with your kids repeatedly, until it gets fixed in their minds and behaviour.
When your child does something right or displays a good habit, make sure to encourage him/ her with words of positive enforcement. Children love praise, and encouraging them each time they are good will help them want to be better. Ignoring your child’s good manners may have a reverse effect, as they may resort to misbehaviour to get your attention.
Correct your child on the spot when he/ she does something wrong. Even if it is in the middle of a conversation with someone else, and your child interrupts, take a moment to stop and gently correct him/ her. However, if your child is very sensitive, you can talk in private later.
Children will frustrate you many times with their short attention span and active mind, but be patient. It is important to never lose your temper and get angry at your child. If you are calm and firm, your child will respond in the same way as well.
If you are teaching your kids to be respectful to people of other religions, groups, gender and nationalities, make sure not to carry the same biases yourself. Teach your kids to judge a person solely by their character and not by anything else.
Use polite words around your child. The words, ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’, ‘excuse me’, and ‘may I’ are the first few words that should be taught to a child when teaching him or her good manners. Repeatedly use them with your child and encourage them to use these words with you as well. Make it a rule at home, and your child will naturally imbibe these good manners.
Good manners are basic elements that will instil a sense of etiquette in your children and make them better human beings when they grow up. They will find it easy to get along with people, succeed at work or school, and develop good relationships with others around them. A polite, considerate child will make the best impression on the world. So, start teaching your kids these manners when they are young, itself!
Also Read: 10 Basic Life Skills for Children Read more
Suggested for you
Significant Facts About Diwali for Kids
Diwali is the most celebrated festival in North India. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in almost all parts of the country. Children love celebrating this festival, and why won't they? They get to burst fire-crackers, play games, and enjoy with their friends. But as parents, you must tell them about the significance or the importance of this Hindu festival. Read this article and learn how you can acquaint your kid’s brain with the rich history and culture of our country in interesting ways.
Why Is Diwali Celebrated?
Children may love to know about mythological characters and their stories. What better way to teach your kid about the rich and vibrant culture and tradition by narrating different Diwali stories to them. Following are some stories to explain the history of Diwali to kids:
1. Lord Rama’s Return
Diwali is celebrated to honour Lord Rama’s return from exile. Lord Rama was the eldest son of King Dashrath and was married to Sita. The king decided to hand over the kingdom to his eldest son. This decision of the king enraged the queen Kaikeyi, and she conspired and asked King Dashrath to send Lord Rama for exile for 14 years. Lord Rama left with Sita and his brother Laxman. They suffered many ordeals in those 14 years and the biggest being Sita’s abduction by the king Ravana. Rama defeated and killed Ravana and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. People celebrated Rama’s return by lighting 'diyas' and bursting crackers, and since then, this day is celebrated to commemorate Rama’s return.
2. Goddess Laxmi’s Story
The story of the birth of Goddess Laxmi begins with the meeting of Sage Durvasa and Lord Indra. Sage Durvasa offers a garland of flowers to Lord Indra, who places it on the forehand of his elephant, Airavat. But the elephant throws it on the Earth. Sage Durvasa gets angry and curses Lord Indra that his kingdom will be ruined the way the garland got destroyed. Lord Indra returns to his capital Amravati, only to find that everything was getting destroyed there. Gods were getting weak and demons were invading them. After losing, the Gods went to Lord Vishnu, who suggested that if they wanted 'Amrit' or immortality portion to restore their power back, the oceans be churned. Then began the churning of the ocean. From this churning process, appeared Goddess Laxmi on a Lotus. Goddess was raised from the ocean on the ‘new moon day’, and she accepted Lord Vishnu as her consort the same day. Many Hindu cultures celebrate Diwali to celebrate the union of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishu.
3. To Celebrate the Return of Pandavas
As per one of the cultural beliefs, Diwali is also celebrated to honour the return of Pandavas from 13 years of exile. Pandavas were the five royal prince, who lost their kingdom to the Kauravas in the game of dice and were exiled for 13 years. They returned to Hastinapur on ‘Kartik Amavasya’, and people celebrated their joyous return by lighting lamps and diyas.
4. The Story of Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu
This story marks the celebration of Diwali in most regions of southern India. Hiranyakashipu is given a gift by Lord Brahma after doing rigours penance, which made him almost immortal. This is because he could neither be killed by a man nor by an animal, not during the day nor during the night, neither inside nor outside and many such difficult conditions. This made the king a tyrant, and his atrocities became unbearable. Narasimha was the reincarnated avatar of Lord Vishnu, who was half man and half animal. And it was neither day nor the night. It was twilight, Narasimha killed the king defying all odds and thus the victory over evil was celebrated in the form of Diwali.
5. Cattle Worshipping
In the villages of India, people worship their farms and cattle because they help them support their life. Rather they think cattle to be the reincarnated avatar of Goddess Laxmi. When their farms are laden with crops and cattle are flourishing, they celebrate this festival by worshipping cows.
The above-mentioned are some of the famous stories and beliefs associated with the celebration of Diwali that you can share with your little kid and ignite his interest in learning about the importance and significance of this festival.
What Do the "5 Days of Diwali" Signify?
Diwali is not a one-day affair. This festival spans over 5 days. Sharing sweets, spreading love, and bursting crackers is not only limited to the day of Diwali, but it starts two days prior to Diwali and goes on up to two days after Diwali. Here’s what 5 days of Diwali signify:
1st Day of Celebration – Dhanteras
The first day of this 5-day festival is known as Dhanteras. On this day Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for prosperity. People believe that on this auspicious day one should buy gold, silver, a house, a car or anything that they desire, to honour the Goddess. People decorate their houses and go out shopping for valuables.
2nd Day of Celebration – Roop Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali
This day is important as people celebrate the joyous victory of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama over demon Narakasura. In order to channelize positive energy, people wake up early and take a bath with fragrant oils. People light earthen lamps and recite prayers.
3rd Day of Celebration – Diwali or Laxmi Pooja
This day is the most important day of the 5-day celebration as people celebrate Diwali on this day. People decorate their house with diyas, flowers, and rangoli. Sweets are distributed among friends and family. People worship Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on this day and pray for happiness and prosperity.
4th Day of Celebration – Govardhan Pooja
The fourth day of this five-day festival marks the celebration of Govardhan Pooja. According to the one of the folklore, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain to save the villagers from the debacle of rain caused by Lord Indra. People make miniature mountains and worship these mountains for the safety and protection of their families.
5th Day of Celebration – Bhai Dooj
The last day of this 5-day-long festival ends with the celebration of a brother-sister bond. It is believed that after killing the demon Narakasura, Lord Krishna visited his sister. The sister rejoiced the victory of her brother by adorning a ‘Tilak’ on Lord Krishna’s forehead. On this auspicious day, brothers and sisters unite and celebrate the pious bond. Sisters pray for their brother’s long life and brothers give gifts to their sisters.
How Is Diwali Celebrated
India is known for its varied culture and traditions; however, Diwali is one such festival that is celebrated with full festive gaiety and fervour all over the country. This is how people celebrate this beautiful festival of lights:
1. By Lighting Diyas
Lighting of diyas and candles is one of the most important traditions associated with Diwali. The lighting of diyas symbolises removing darkness from the world. Thus when people light diyas, they pray to God to remove all kinds of negativity, ill-feelings, or darkness from their lives. Another belief state, that because Diwali falls on the night of new moon and there is darkness all around, lighting diyas will help Goddess Laxmi find her way through to your homes.
2. By Worshipping Goddess Laxmi
Worshipping Goddess Laxmi is one of the most important aspects of Diwali. It is a famous Hindu belief that by worshipping Goddess Laxmi one would be bestowed with all the prosperity and wealth that one wishes for. At sunset, all the family members assemble and pray before the Goddess Laxmi to seek her blessings.
3. By Distributing Sweets
Every Indian festival is incomplete without eating and sharing sweets, and there is no exception on Diwali, too. People visit their family and friends and take sweets and gifts for them. Sweets symbolise sweetness in the relations, and when you share sweets with your near and dear ones, you wish and hope that the same kind of sweetness remains in your relationships.
4. By Bursting Crackers
The Diwali celebration for kids is incomplete without bursting crackers. Just like everything else crackers too hold significance and that is to keep the negativity or anything evil away from your life. You must make sure that you procure crackers which are environment-friendly as bursting crackers can lead to lot pollution, which is harmful.
5. By Making Rangoli
Many households across the country adorn the entrance or the prayer room of their house with colourful patterns and colours, also known as Rangoli. This is a way of welcoming Goddess Laxmi to their humble abode. People also make these patterns to welcome their guests. Flowers, rice flour, and other kinds of colours available in the market are used to make these beautiful patterns.
6. By Worshipping Cattle
Many people in the villages in the southern part of the country worship their cattle. This is because according to the belief, cattle are reincarnated avatar of Goddess Laxmi for them.
Which Countries Other Than India Celebrate Diwali?
India has the second-highest population in the world, and many neighbouring countries have abundant Indian population such as Singapore, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and a few others. All these countries have an official holiday on Deepavali, too.
Tips to Make Diwali a Safe Occasion for Kids
Diwali is a festival that you celebrate with your loved ones. However, you may have to be careful with your kids when it comes to handling 'diyas' and crackers. Festivals are enjoyed best when they are celebrated in a safe and healthy manner. Here is some Diwali information for kids that you may like to share with your little ones:
You must never leave your kids unattended when they are bursting crackers. Make sure at all times they are accompanied by an adult, or they are under adult supervision.
Mishaps are bound to happen, especially when it comes to dealing with firecrackers. Therefore, you must keep a first aid kit handy to deal with any kind of emergencies.
Fill a bucket full of water and keep it near by when you burst firecrackers. You may use this in case of any fire mishap, or you may also use this to discard burnt firecrackers.
Ensure there are no flammable objects lying in the close vicinity of where you plan to burst crackers.
Make sure you make your kids wear fitted cotton clothes, and there are no loose ends.
Do not allow your kid to immediately go near a firecracker that may not burst as sometimes it may take time to burst, and it may lead to injuries.
Do not let your kid burst crackers inside the house. Always go to open spaces to burst crackers.
While bursting crackers such as ‘chakries’ or ‘anar’, make sure you place them on an even surface to avoid mishaps.
Do not let your kids handle matchstick or firecrackers. Make sure you assist your child.
If someone else is bursting the firecracker, make sure you let them finish before you light your cracker.
Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights with joy, zeal, and love. But also share the importance of this pious five-day festival with your kids. And have a fun-filled and a prosperous Diwali with your loved ones.
Also Read: Creative Diwali Card Ideas for Children Read more
Suggested for you
Suggested for you
Controlled Crying - Sleep Training Method for Your Baby
Babies usually wake up at night to feed or experience the passing sleep blip due to illness, change of routine or teething. But sometimes some babies tend to indulge in persistent, long-term wailing for no apparent reason. This tendency of theirs to stay awake at night, crying can prove very exhausting for the parents preventing them from getting their rest and sleep. Many experts believe that such babies probably develop incorrect sleep associations and controlled crying can be one of the possible ways to deal with the situation. Some mothers find this technique useful while others are not convinced to opt for it.
What is Controlled Crying?
Some babies are not good sleepers and find it tough to sleep through the night. They develop a habit of staying awake at night to seek constant comfort. It is natural for a mother to want to comfort her crying baby but if done for an extended period it can get hard to break the routine. In such situations, controlled crying can be a viable option to train the baby to sleep independently. It is a sleep training technique that aims at teaching a baby to self-settle in the night to improve the quality of his naps.
The purpose of the controlled crying technique is not to pat, stroke or re-position the baby while crying as this can inadvertently encourage the crying behaviour. Instead, it involves checking on the crying baby at regular intervals to reassure him of his caregiver’s presence. Gradually the controlled crying intervals which are the duration of time between every visit may be extended until the baby falls asleep.
At What Age Can You Try Controlled Crying Sleep Training for Your Child?
Experts generally advocate controlled crying after 6 months of age. It is not advisable to use controlled crying for babies below the age of 6 months. A 3-month-old baby cannot be expected to soothe himself to sleep. If your baby still requires his night feeds it makes sense to wait. But it is more of a personal choice. Parents must consider their reasons for adopting the controlled crying method.
How to Use the Controlled Crying Technique
Here is a step by step guide to the method of controlled crying:
Ensure that your baby is properly fed, burped and has a fresh nappy on before putting him in the cot.
Make certain that the room temperature is comfortable enough for the baby.
Shower your baby with lots of kisses and cuddle him. Dim the lights and comfort him by talking in soothing tones until his eyes begin to close.
Tuck him well and leave the room.
In case your baby starts crying the moment you leave, allow him to cry for a minute or two before reappearing by his side.
Try comforting him by talking gently or patting him on his back. But don’t gather him in your arms or brighten the lights.
Wait for him to settle down again which may take a few minutes.
Again, leave the room. If your baby starts crying again, lengthen the duration by letting him cry for 3 to 4 minutes before going back in. Repeat the calming gestures to reassure him.
Every time your baby cries stretch the crying interval by a few minutes but do not let it exceed 10 minutes.
With a bit of luck, your baby may get the message and will gradually fall asleep.
Replicate the whole exercise every day for a week before you expect to see some positive results.
Controlled Crying vs Cry it Out
People may misinterpret controlled crying to mean leaving their baby to cry for extensive durations until he eventually drifts off to sleep. But this is a wrong notion. Controlled crying means you let your baby cry for an established time length normally short before offering him assurance and comfort. Doing so may help set a regular sleep pattern for the baby who otherwise has trouble following one. Allowing a baby to cry it out to sleep is not just cruel but can also lead to possible health issues for the baby.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Controlled Crying Sleep Method?
The use of the controlled crying technique to help babies sleep better is a controversial topic and often debated by experts. You need to contemplate and weigh the pros and cons of this method before making a decision.
1. Pros
Some of the pros of this system can be:
It may help you to create a fixed sleep order for your child by teaching him to settle down at night by himself.
Controlled crying can promote healthy sleep associations by preventing a baby from associating a particular thing with his falling asleep. For example, in case you rock your baby to sleep, he may start relating that gesture to his sleep and expect it every time he feels sleepy. But with controlled crying, your baby won't expect any such thing even if he wakes up at night.
Experts believe that sleep training babies like this can help them sleep consistently. A baby who sleeps better generally remains happier while awake.
2. Cons
Some of the cons of the method can be:
Some experts feel that controlled crying can cause the child to develop certain psychological issues later on in life as babies intuitively require to be looked after.
Leaving a child to cry, even for short durations, during his initial development years can emotionally scar him and result in behavioural problems in adulthood.
If a baby stays awake at night, it may be because he requires some pain relief, food or comfort, and not just because he wishes to cause trouble. So, parents should carefully investigate the matter instead of ignoring it altogether.
How Long Does this Method Take to Work
Every baby is different. So, the time extent for this method to work can vary for each baby. Usually, it takes about three days for babies to absorb a new system of parenting. But in some cases, the positive effects of controlled crying can take up to a week to manifest.
Tips to Make Controlled Crying Work
Certain useful tips for making controlled crying work can be:
Be patient. Implementing this method can be quite challenging as your baby will resist strongly before accepting your way.
Make sure you are consistent and practise it every night. Don’t let it be a one-night thing.
Repeating controlled crying each night can be quite taxing. It is advised you seek your partner's help to share the pressure and strain of the entire exercise.
In case leaving your baby to cry for 2 minutes seems difficult, begin with shorter timings. Just ensure that you steadily increase the time intervals with every attempt.
Remember, if you can train your child to sleep well at night, he will stay happy and cheerful during the hours he is awake.
Alternatives to Controlled Crying
Some alternatives to the controlled crying method can be:
You can try the pickup and put down method which comprises of picking up the baby when he starts crying and putting him down after he seems calm enough.
Gradual retreat method can be another option. This method involves making a slow retreat from the baby’s room in small stages until he drifts to sleep and stays asleep.
It would be incorrect to say that controlled crying is the most appropriate method to sleep train your baby. It is always sensible to discuss any concerns that you may have with your doctor in detail before deciding in this regard.
Also Read: How to Make Baby Sleep at Night Read more
Suggested for you
How Do Toddlers Communicate?
Toddlers don’t always communicate through words. They can also communicate through crying and their body language. Understand how your toddler communicates at every stage of growth, and learn to communicate with her. Read our simple guidelines to make this journey of words pleasant and enjoyable for both of you.
A child starts communicating as soon as she is born. Crying is the first step of communication. It may seem like a simple crying spell to you, but she is actually conveying her needs (to be fed, cleaned or comforted) to you. And as she grows older, her communication skills will only get better. With her squeals of joy, cooing and babbling, she reaches another milestone in her communication journey. She soon starts recognizing things and looks at them when you ask for them. E.g. Where is your bottle? She may look at the bottle to convey her understanding of the word/question.
Between 12 and 15 months, your toddler learns a few words like ‘ma-ma’, ‘pa-pa’, and other routine words like 'water' or 'pani' that help her in communicating her needs to you. With a combination of words and gestures, she can clearly indicate her needs. For example, she will start rubbing her eyes or blink them to convey that she wants to sleep, or act cranky because she is hungry. Your child hides behind you when approached by a stranger to convey her fear of new people.
Between ages 15 and 18 months, she can gesture ‘bye bye’ or understand the concept of ‘sit and stand’, ‘in and out’, etc. She can point at different body parts. Her vocabulary improves as well. She can now use up to 20 words when asked. If she has a toy phone, or in case she comes across a real phone, she will talk (incoherently) on the phone as if she is holding a real conversation.
By the time your toddler turns 2 years of age, she begins to use action words. She can express what she sees or wants. ‘No’ becomes an important part of her vocabulary, and it might upset you to listen to a negative word so early. But try to understand that with a ‘No’, your toddler is actually trying to assert her independence. At this stage, she knows and uses more than 100 words. She can sing nursery rhymes, though not very clearly.
At 30 months, your toddler is turning into quite a communicator. She can speak short phrases such as, ‘Mummy, go out’, ‘Go park’, etc. At this stage, do not expect her to be a grammar wizard. At this stage, toddlers leave out adjectives, and other grammatical conventions. You will notice that your toddler mostly uses her name instead of ‘I’ because that’s how you have been addressing her. In a few months, she will also start using pronouns.
You can also help your child in her journey of communication. Here are a few pointers:
1. Talk and Sing to your Child
Your child might not be able to talk to you initially, but that should not stop you from inviting responses from her. Sing nursery rhymes to her. Talk to her as if you are holding a conversation with her. This stream of sounds will encourage your child to start talking.
2. Understanding Gestures
Once your child starts gesturing or pointing at things, it might be difficult for you to understand her. This may frustrate the child for she may be unable to convey what she wants. The best way to overcome this problem is to also start pointing your finger at different objects as her. Ask her ‘What’s over there?’ or ‘Are you showing me a big green ball?’ This shows her that you want to understand, and helps her build her vocabulary at the same time. Even if she can’t answer you, she is learning words from you that she will soon put to use.
3. Complete Her Sentences
If your toddler says ‘Eat’, ‘Go home’ or ‘Baby sleep’, complete her sentences by saying, ‘You want to eat? I will give you something to eat’, or ‘Baby is sleeping now, let’s play with her later.” This will help develop her language skills.
4. Use Real Words
Instead of using baby talk like ‘mum mum’, ‘nom nom’, etc., to signal food, milk or bottle, use real words with your toddler.
5. Give her Simple Directions to Follow
Instead of using complex words, give her simple directions like ‘Go and find your pink hat’ or ‘Keep your shoes in the cupboard’.
6. Correct her Grammar Carefully
Your child is just beginning to work out the basics of grammar. However, she will often get it wrong. Don’t work yourself up because of it. If your child says ‘I eat lunch yesterday,’ don’t rush to correct her . Instead, let her learn the correct language from you. For example, tell her ‘So you ate lunch yesterday?’ This will get the correct language across to her without being corrected.
7. Use Lots of Different Words
Improve her vocabulary by telling her the names of the objects she is playing with, and also by using different words. Whenever you step out, always show her things around you, so that she can understand, learn their names and build her vocabulary.
Although every child develops at a different pace, if by 15 to 18 months, your toddler does not point at things, you should consult her paediatrician. You want to be sure that your child is developing as per the expected milestones, and that it is not a case of language or speech developmental delay. Read more
Suggested for you
MUMMY LOVE LETTER TO HIS SON FOR DESCRBING HIS NINE MONTH JOURNEY ON HER WOMB TILL THE BIRTH.. 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤
Dear Anuraj(Ved, OOGY)
I came to know that about your existence inside me on your Papa's Birthday and everything changed .I saw your father beaming , informing everyone in family , hugging me ,showering love .I became a little nervous as as a doctor , was aware about changes in mood ,body during pregnancy and had tears in my eyes , obviously it was due to happiness .I changed my routine ,but belive me you never troubled me,I was very happy and dreaming per day and imagine my life with you and promise myself I love you more than your father, Daily I pray to God and talking to God please keep safe to you, I felt that you knew my fear .I felt in love with you from very first information and keeping you safe , healthy became my first priority .You responded to my eating habits and I enjoyed when you kicked slowly .I felt your movements and informed time to time to your curious and tensed father .And finàlly on 1stAug 2017,you were born .I was unconscious for half and hour and when I opened my eyes ,I saw your badi Ma smiling ,what a relief was that .After few minutes, When I hold you in my arms ,9 month old scenes were repeated ,your father beaming , informing everyone in the family I saw your papa's eye what is happiness he is very happy till the bottom of his heart his happiness is not fake but it's pure from dil se he is more conciouess than me about your life and I felt very happy to see his happiness from till to now you are our first priority and happiness betu if you crying we also crying if you start laughing we also, our life and day start with you betu,my eyes tearful due to happiness,but only one difference ,I was proud instead of nervous and because ,betu, you are my proud ,love,life I LOVE YOU more than in my life... You are my jaanu-Banu, My cutie oogy. I LOVE YOU..
Yours loving
Mummy(Maa) Read more
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
12 hours ago
Q. Hi Doc,
I'm getting cramps on my right side of lower stomach. is this normal or do I have to visit doc?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. without examination it is difficult to tell proper treatment as well as advice so you should visit the doctor5 for health assessment as well as examination.
whether any investigations is required or not will be told by the doctor5
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
8 hours ago
Q. i am 39 week of pregnant and having AFI level of 8 is this normal?and is delivery possible for me?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. yes. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the childdo ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Vandana Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. please tale me how much dengerous for may 7 days old baby and she was 2.9 kg.
Vandana Sharma
Nutritionist
1 hour ago
A. Hello mom the blood sugar level of baby is quite low , could say hypoglycemia as well .
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. hlw hospital bag main baby nd mom ke liye kiya kiya le jana chahiye???
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. hospital bag mein baby ke essentials Deni hogi aap YouTube per dekh sakte hain. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
51 mins ago
Q. my last period was on 29 February 2024 according to which I am 8 weeks 4 days pregnant but my usg scan shows 7 weeks 3 days
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
20 mins ago
A. For this purpose I’d like to tell you plus -1 or two weeks is completely normal to be seen during ultrasound till the time doctor does not say anything in order of you need to worry about the don’t worry like I said this can be commonly seen in one plus or 2+ weeks or minus weeks is fine
Anu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
19 mins ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Anu
Guardian of 0 children
10 mins ago
A. Hello i asked same thing to my doctor……she said avoid pizza burger n any kind of junk food n u dont know what they r use in burger sometimes they used frozen so better to avoid.burger is so easy better make in home ur craving will satisfy
Check out this new Memory
Aisha Shaikh
Mom of a 8 m old girl
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Hema Nair
Guardian of a 4 m old girl
New Memory
Ist outing
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Ch rani
Mom of a 6 m old girl
New Milestone
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
Sushama Kotkar
Mom of a 3 m old girl
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Check out this new Memory
humera
Mom of a 7 m old boy
New Memory
#cutestbaby
0 Likes
0 Comment
Tell us more about yourself get More Personalised
- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
- Trying to Conceive