Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
The complete toolkit for understanding toddler behavior (e.g. hitting, throwing, biting, pushing), navigating tantrums and meltdowns, fostering healthy sibling relationships and dynamics so your kids can get along and raising skilled resilient self-regulated toddlers. If you have toddlers that are close in age or multiple kids then this podcast is made for you! Heather helps parents transform their aggressive toddlers behavior into a calm, kind and caring toddler with a more peaceful and joyful home.
Heather is the Founder of Heather Schalk Parenting, a Twin Mama, Toddler Toolkit Podcast Host, Teacher for 10 years (pre-k through 9th grade), specialization in behavior, with her M.Ed.
Heather's passion is helping moms of toddlers who have disruptive tantrums develop proactive and 'in the moment' strategies to Transform their toddlers disruptive tantrums, aggressive ‘button-pushing’ behavior into a Calm, Kind and Caring Toddler so you have a joyful family and enjoy motherhood.
Next Toddler Mom Cohort to Transform Aggressive Toddler Behavior taught by Heather is in September 2024!
Welcome to Toddler Toolkit podcast, your complete toolbox for peaceful parenting and raising joyful toddlers. Discover long term strategies, personalized support, and tips for fostering healthy sibling relationships.
Speaker 2:Hi. Welcome. Today, we're talking about the 7 toddler milestones you need to know from ages 2a half to 3a half. I had done an episode before where I talked about the journey from 18 months to 2a half. So this is the second part of it.
Speaker 2:We're talking about 2a half to 3a half. And not only has it been a year in my own toddler's development from those ages, but it's also been a year since I started the toddler toolkit podcast. So I'm super excited to be celebrating the 1 year anniversary, and we are also doing a 1 year review party. So if any of the episodes were helpful to you, maybe there was a tip from an interview or something that that really made a difference or you're able to implement it, or even it was it was just bringing something to your awareness or making you feel like you weren't alone and you were heard in your motherhood or toddlerhood journey and you have some appreciation for that, we are doing a giveaway. So all you have to do to qualify is write a 5 star review for toddler toolkit podcast.
Speaker 2:And you can just do it like a just even a few sentences just about, like, was there a helpful episode, or was there a helpful tip, or just the overall experience for you. If, you know, just you enjoyed it and you enjoy the different guests or you enjoy the different topics or learning more about tantrums and, toddler behavior, strong will toddler, any of those things. So if anything was super helpful to you, you can just, you know, write that little review. 1, 2, make sure to take a screenshot of it and submit it either to my Facebook group. The link is in the show notes to join the Facebook group.
Speaker 2:There's a thread where you can post in there, or you can just email me at heather@twinmomroadmap.com, and then send it to me there. The reason for the screenshot is just because sometimes it takes a few days for, the review to post. And then if you send me the screenshot, I know who you are. I have your name. You'll be entered into the drawing to possibly win.
Speaker 2:And some of the prizes include a brand new unreleased course called the 3 steps to a calm, kind, and caring toddler. So you could be the first person to actually get it and, before it even is out there to the public. So if you are really resonating with this podcast or my YouTube channel or maybe you're you're in my Facebook group or on my email list and you've enjoyed my my newsletters, my emails, and things like that, and that you've been feeling, you know, you just wanna take it the next step, go ahead and write that review because you could definitely win that. There'll be other prizes too. So it's almost like Christmas is coming early.
Speaker 2:So, yes, please get on board with that for the toddler toolkit podcast 1 year review party. Again, the winners will be announced on Thursday, October 17th. Alright. So now back to the episode, we're talking about the 7 toddler milestones you need to know, ages 2a half to 3a half. Okay?
Speaker 2:So now I just wanna say, of course, every toddler is different, and these are milestones I've really noticed in my own toddlers, of course, working with many, many parents and helping support them. I've also seen common themes here as well. And I just wanna say that, you know, even if your toddler you're not seeing one of these things, you know, that that is okay. Every toddler is different and how they progress and their strengths, they're all different. But if you are truly concerned, you can always reach out to your pediatrician.
Speaker 2:Alright. So after we go over the 7, I'm gonna then then give a little bit of fun at the end. We're gonna talk about a combo of some bloopers over the last year, funny or silly moments or unexpected things in the last year personally with my own toddlers. Okay. So I can't wait to share that.
Speaker 2:Alright. So let's get to the first one. The 7 toddler milestones you need to know, ages 2a half to 3a half. Number 1, independence and autonomy. Okay.
Speaker 2:So at this stage, your toddler is becoming more independent. Now if you have been on that emotional roller coaster of toddler parenting and you're like, what terrible twos, and you're, you know, you're just going up that, hill, on that roller coaster, and you're like, yeah. We're just everything's just going up. I don't know what they're talking about, these terrible twos. And then you're like, well, maybe, you know, they're the terrific twos.
Speaker 2:And but all of a sudden, then something happens. Right? Something happens. Maybe your toddler's around 2a half. Maybe they're closer to 3.
Speaker 2:And all of a sudden, you gotta run for your money. I totally get it if that's you. And a lot of that is because toddlers are starting to seek more independence, more autonomy. So they want to do more things themselves, which we are totally excited about. Right?
Speaker 2:Like, maybe they wanna get in their high chairs or their car seat themselves. They wanna zip up their jacket or zip up their pajamas. They wanna take off their shoes. The thing is this can lead to power struggles, especially when parents want to get things moving. Maybe you gotta get to a library class, get to nursery day care, get to grandmother's house before you get to work.
Speaker 2:What whatever the thing is. Right? Sometimes we're in a hurry and our toddler is taking, like, what seems like hours to get in their car seat. And then if you offer to help them very nicely, they're like, no. I'm doing it myself.
Speaker 2:And you're like, well, we don't have an hour. I'm gonna just put you in. They're like, no. Right? So the independence, the autonomy, and the thinking for themselves.
Speaker 2:Right? So the flip side of this struggle, however, is, you know, we see development of more of their personality and who our toddlers are. So that is a wonderful thing, see WOSEM, as we get to this age. Our toddlers really begin to understand rules, but it does not always mean they understand the consequences of their actions. For example, a toddler may know they shouldn't throw things, but still do it without fully realizing the mess it creates, how they would clean up the mess, or if it hurts or affects other people.
Speaker 2:And that idea of understanding the feelings of others outside of their own body is something that toddlers are developing, and they might not even have till the age of 4. It depends on the child. Every child is different and develops in that type of emotional intelligence in in in a different time, at a different pace. Okay? So a lot of toddlers, they might not understand.
Speaker 2:I think I feel like an iceberg. Right? Like, the tip of the iceberg above the water, that's that's like the rules. We feel like our toddlers know all the rules. They they should know.
Speaker 2:They should know. But underneath that water, where the bulk of the iceberg is is really our toddler's not really understanding, and that's why we always need to check for understanding. And if we just do rules and we just enforce and then punish, if our toddler doesn't listen, let's say, to the rule because, well, they broke the rule, they know the rule, so they're gonna get, let's say, just, like, time out because of that. There's a lot of things that can go on with this because they might not actually understand. And if they did, they might actually wanna have more independence and autonomy in it.
Speaker 2:And that is the beauty of connecting and collaborating with our toddlers, but also leading and guiding and using positive discipline. Right? So, you know, I think I shared a story in another episode where I talked about my toddler. You know, he was testing limits, boundaries. He threw a cup of milk, which spilled all over the floor.
Speaker 2:I and I told the story in more detail, and I kinda will bring it up at the end a little bit again of this episode. But he didn't understand the consequences of spilling the milk everywhere, and his idea of the solution to it was like a very simplistic idea. Like, he would just sweep all the milk up with the brim, and it would be super easy to clean, and he didn't even know that. So when we shifted to connection over correction, correction, what happened was he actually started instead of throwing his milk, he actually started putting his milk away in the fridge himself. He actually became even more independent.
Speaker 2:So this is number 1. Super important that we really fill our toddlers' independence buckets. Okay? And you can see why right there. Alright.
Speaker 2:Number 2, critical thinking is developing. Okay? So this means our toddlers are gonna think for themselves. Okay? And as parents, we might think they're kind of talking back to us or being smarty pants, But this is actually really healthy development, and we want our toddlers to be critical thinkers.
Speaker 2:We do not want to shut this down. And maybe this was shut down at us as kids. Like, you know, this is how it is. Don't question it. Don't say anything.
Speaker 2:Like our voice is silence, maybe, you know, just just pull up your bootstraps and do as I say. But we really do want that critical thinking and this is why. So as our toddlers grow, they start to use logic to solve problems, have their own reasoning. And even though it might be simple and it might be centered around themselves still, it is still in the process of developing critical thinking that is really gonna benefit them later in life. So I wanna give an example of this with one of my toddlers.
Speaker 2:I was setting some limits for what was acceptable for him to go on at a playground because there were some really big kid stuff at one of the playgrounds and it just wasn't safe at that time for him to do it. So I said, this is for big kids. You know, when you're a little bit bigger, you can do it. And so he said, well, I want this to be for small kids. It's for small kids.
Speaker 2:It's for me. So he's showing that he has started critically thinking and saying like, hey, wait a second. Why is this just for big kids? This should also be for small kids too. I want to be a part of this too.
Speaker 2:I wanna be included. And it shows how our toddlers can connect ideas and use them to connect them to their own wants, needs, and desires as well, which is a healthy thing. So we really do want to encourage the critical thinking moments even in conflict. You know, toddlers can start understanding, developing problem solving skills, learning to manage their emotions, and talking about it, not just shutting critical thinking down. So we want to help it flourish and grow, not shut it down.
Speaker 2:Okay? Because this is one of the big things that starts coming, and that's all part of that package, right, of our toddler entering the age of 3 and really starting to think for themselves. So number 3 on the list, increase and pushback, which goes along with the critical thinking. Okay? So the increase in pushback is, you know, around this age, somewhere between 2a half to 3a half dollars begin pushing back more often, and they're gonna assert their autonomy, maybe testing limits and boundaries.
Speaker 2:Okay? An example could be this just saying, no. I don't want to. I'm not gonna do that. Go away.
Speaker 2:Maybe demanding things be done their way or ignoring rules that they previously followed. And maybe even you feel like redirection isn't working anymore or certain things you used to do that used to work so well are not working anymore. So our toddlers talking back and pushing back is a normal part of development, but it's important to guide our toddlers. You know, we can give them options. We can still fill their independence bucket.
Speaker 2:Right? And we can still validate their feelings. They can still not want to do the thing or want to do the thing. We can still validate that, and we can still go beyond validation, as I like to say, and really connect with our children and really understand them and what drives and motivate them and what they really care about on a deeper level. So we always can still guide our toddlers, really be in charge and maintain control, but give our toddler more autonomy choices.
Speaker 2:And that is what I am definitely passionate about because I know it really works, especially with toddlers that get kind of that strong willed label, so to speak. Alright. So number 4, big emotions. Okay. So we are here and and, of course, this can all vary so much for toddler because toddlers, they have different temperament traits.
Speaker 2:Right? And so the different traits that they have might make them inclined for bigger emotions. It is possible or maybe more inclined for other things. Okay? Like wanting to be independent.
Speaker 2:So it just depends on the child. Every child is so different. Okay? But this is one of the hallmarks of toddlerhood. So, of course, our toddler can have varying degree of these things.
Speaker 2:So big emotions, toddlers experiencing intense emotions. It could be kinda dramatic. They could be yelling, demanding, crying, thrashing, falling around, throwing objects, kicking. Okay? And they might get frustrated.
Speaker 2:They might get disappointed. They're not getting their way. They're not getting what they want, and waiting is hard. Maybe even, you know, sharing is hard. Do they have siblings?
Speaker 2:You know, all those things can really kind of add up and and your toddler, you know, not getting their way and triggering a a big emotion. Right? So when toddlers experience this, you know, it is helpful now for them to guide us. Now it doesn't always mean in the moment. Right?
Speaker 2:Because they might not be receptive in the moment. It depends. Right? The it depends on where they are. If it is it a tantrum meltdown?
Speaker 2:Where are they on that that scale? But to channel their feelings into positive actions, hearing them out, giving them options to express themselves, talk about things, learn about their emotions and cultivate it in a healthy way and teaching them how to cool down, how to blow off steam healthily and not just shut down that emotion. Emotions are so important. And if emotions get shut down at a young age, there is in my belief, just huge impact on a child. Emotional regulation is super important.
Speaker 2:This is connected to big emotions. We do not want our children not to have them, and we do not want to stop them or shut them down. And we don't want to use fear or shame or any of those things because there are big consequences for our toddler later on in life. And even in the short term, there's big consequences for that too. So this is even though it's a very challenging time period, it's a very important time period for our child because as they become adults, we want them to be able to understand their emotions, understand why they are doing what they're doing, feeling what they're doing.
Speaker 2:And if they have been shut down from a very young age, they're not going to know how to navigate that part of themselves, which will affect all of their relationships. So this is so important and it does relate to social skills too. And it relates to relationships, marriage, all sorts of things. It's very important. Teamwork, jobs, everything.
Speaker 2:Okay? Really big deal.
Speaker 1:Does your toddler have aggressive behavior? Does your toddler push buttons? Can your toddler not control themselves? And does your toddler almost seem to enjoy when you tell them no and do it more? Then sign up for the transform aggressive behavior to a calm, kind, and caring toddler workshop wait list.
Speaker 1:The link is in the show notes, and I am happy to support those families that are dealing with this. I know this is not everybody. This is a unique situations that some of us might have. But even if you don't have a toddler this to this extent, but maybe there's little pieces that you were resonating with and you maybe see just a little bit of this or maybe you're concerned that your child will take on more of these actions, more of these button pushing reactions as they get a little bit older, closer to 3, maybe 4, and you're concerned about that, then this workshop will be really helpful to you as well.
Speaker 2:Number 5, the toddler reactivity loop. Okay. So this is kind of going off of some of these other things I just mentioned. Right? Where we're having some, testing boundaries, we're talking back, we're we wanna be independent, we're maybe we're pushing buttons, maybe we have, like, big feelings, big emotions, and our toddlers can get into this loop.
Speaker 2:Okay? And they can get into this loop when they don't get their way or for many other reasons as well. And this kind of a loop, right, our toddler, they can get stuck in a cycle. And, a lot of times, it's because our toddler does not have a skill. They don't have a skill that they need, and there's many, different reasons, like, why they got triggered, and then they just didn't have the skill.
Speaker 2:And this can get them stuck and in repeated meltdown mode. And and when you start writing down the things your toddlers do, like, you isolate, like, one thing, let's say, just like your toddler refusing to get in the car seat or your toddler screaming when you're on your phone. You're maybe you're just you're not on your phone all the time, that you were just sending a message to your partner or somebody. It was import it's an important thing and your toddler's like, no, you're not paying attention to me. I'm just gonna start screaming.
Speaker 2:Or I I don't want you to be on that. I want you to play with me. I'm just gonna start screaming. Right? If we notice that pattern, like, oh, every time this happens, this is what my toddler does.
Speaker 2:So first they do this, then they do this, then they do this, and then you actually see what you're doing too in that loop. Then we really once we see the loop, we can figure out how to get out of it. Okay? And that is what I'm super passionate about, is helping toddler parents and caretakers get out of the toddler reactivity loop. So, you know, I said you guys could win my course for free, possibly.
Speaker 2:You'll be entered into a drawing if you review the podcast 5 stars. So if you feel like you're stuck in a toddler reactivity loop and it's like Groundhog's Day with your toddler or you know the same things keep happening. Like, it's the like, she's always screaming, or he's always hitting, or whatever the thing is. Right? And you feel like, well, that behavior is a loop, then this course is for you.
Speaker 2:So please write the review and you could win. Okay? So I'm excited about that. Alright. Number 6.
Speaker 2:Some big changes. Okay? There are some big changes that potentially can happen with your toddler and potentially not. It just depends on where your toddler is. Now some of their toddlers will drop their naps during this period of time between 2a half to 3a half.
Speaker 2:Mine did, and it was a big out of nowhere surprise. I was not prepared for it. They were such great nappers. They would nap for 3 hours, And I had all this time during the day that just went poof. And not only that, when the naps get off, you know, you can have more night wakings.
Speaker 2:You can have waking up earlier even. So there's different things get they can get off kilter when sleep and nap gets changed. Sometimes naps get affected also because maybe your child has started, a daycare, a nursery, or a preschool, and maybe they're kind of getting adjusted. You know, it's the beginning of the school year still. And so that could be throwing naps off too.
Speaker 2:And so we can see more behaviors, tantrums, screaming, throwing, hitting, a shorter fuse with our toddler, more emotional outburst, crankiness, difficult behaviors, big emotions, and maybe it's harder for them to self regulate. Okay. We're seeing more tantrums, and it can be a lot. It's a lot for them. It's also a lot for us as the parents.
Speaker 2:So those are some changes. We also have potty training. This could happen, for some children. You know, that's also a big change too. And they were so used to having or being with their diaper for so long, and then it's this big transition.
Speaker 2:And some kids, depending on your child, might take it and run with it and just be, like, doing better than ever since potty training and other ones. They might still be having some, you know, challenges with it. Okay? Yeah. So every child is different and also depends on, you know, their readiness too.
Speaker 2:And maybe if you're not doing preschool, you've introduced something else. Maybe you've introduced the babysitter. I know there's people who do that instead of preschool. It all depends on the parents and caregivers of the toddler, what they decide. We personally have started a babysitter, and, yeah, those changes were a lot too.
Speaker 2:You know, it's a lot for your toddler to adjust to it. And, I think if, you know, obviously, I could do a whole episode on finding a great babysitter for your toddler because the difference of having, an amazing babysitter and then one that's not is a huge difference for your toddler. So it really it really that those things can matter, but they are changes. They're shifts in their routine, and that can lead to a lot of this. So that that can come up between these ages as well.
Speaker 2:Number 7, the last one, increase in social skills and cooperative play. So between 2a half to 3a half, our toddlers will start developing more social skills, engaging in more cooperative play with peers and siblings. And this can also include sharing, turn taking, participating, and more complex imaginary play as well. So just an example with my twins, some some things I saw with them, you know, they would, kinda give each other, like, instructions on how to play. Like and I'm just gonna say brother for their names.
Speaker 2:But, hey, brother, play with the stick. Or, brother, come on. Get the monkey. So they're kind of, like, giving certain structures. They're they're getting the different toys.
Speaker 2:They're playing together. They have this thing that they love to do where, they love to, like, play, like, similar themes together. Like, they like to pretend their trucks are stuck in the muck. I never taught them the word muck. They learned it from a TV show where there's a lot of rhyming, but stuck in the muck.
Speaker 2:So, like, our trucks are stuck in the muck. It's a big fun for them, and so they love to do that. You know, they love to, yeah, do you also like being like a love to, like, fall under the bed or be, like, in a bin and, like, daydream and do some kind of, like, their own imaginary play, like, kind of, like, in the corners. They're kinda liking that, like, the forts, that kind of idea. And, they love to sing, sing what they're doing, making up songs or revising songs depending on what they're playing with, kind of like creatively.
Speaker 2:And so that is really great to see too. An example of some play I saw with kinda like little people and little people animals, kind of imagining the animals were giving each other piggyback rides. 1 animal got stuck in a block and the other, like, a hole in a block, and and then the other animals had to go rescue them. The boys my boys are really into remote cars right now. That's, like, their favorite thing.
Speaker 2:They like playing chase, pretending to be something spooky right now and are running around the house just because Halloween is around the corner, in costumes and all that. And they'll they'll put, like, a a towel or shirt over their head and think of, oh, and, like, run around. They kind of getting creative being super silly. It's fun to see that. And also, before, if they accidentally hurt me or purposely, so to speak, let's just say, like, they hit me or hurt me or something, they would not, like, there would not be any kind of, like, emotional reaction afterwards if I was like, ow.
Speaker 2:They would not relate to that at all, and that's something that has to be developed. Right? And they're starting to develop that that emotional empathy, slowly. So now if, you know, they do something to hurt me, whether they did it and it was an accident or they kinda knew what they were doing, they were testing a boundary, There's a huge difference now. They will come to me, give me hugs and kisses.
Speaker 2:Like, they they definitely, like, are in tune with emotion and feelings more and giving hugs and kisses. So that is something that's new that that is blossoming for them as well. And, yeah. So that that is kind of wraps up the social skills. And now I'm gonna that was all the 7, and I'm gonna quickly get to a combo of bloopers, funny, and silly moments or unexpected things in the last year.
Speaker 2:So okay. Alright. So you guys know I have twins by now. High chair story. Okay.
Speaker 2:So when you have twins both in high chairs and they're, like, on the high setting because your twins like to look out the window, but they're, you know, they're 2a half. Yeah. So what happened was they one of them grabbed the other one's hand and started pulling. And I believe my husband was standing right there, and I was a little bit back because I was I was probably getting snack. And they were still they were still, like to sit in the high chair and look out the window.
Speaker 2:At this point, they they were, like, 2 and a half. And so what happened was one of them pulled them, and it totally knocked the high chair over. It was a pretty scary moment, so I would say this is a serious blooper. Okay? Like, not not fun.
Speaker 2:Would not ever want it to happen again. Dangerous. But that can actually happen. Luckily, my one son that did fall over, he was protected and, because the tray was on, it kept him from hitting his head. So the tray pretty much saved him from getting hurt.
Speaker 2:That was a close call. So twins in high chairs, they're very strong. They can reach and grab. Yes. They can knock themselves over.
Speaker 2:So just so you know, and the highest setting is gonna be more likely to tip than not. And since we just talked about the high chair, why don't I just talk about seating arrangements? So the boys pretty much skipped booster seats. They went from, the high chair to a small kids table with little chairs. That's where they really like to eat for a while.
Speaker 2:And then, they also really like to stand up on stools and eat at the counter in our kitchen. And I think it's because it centers them. They really my toddlers can be higher energy, especially at times, and just the sitting, they ends up being challenging for them. You know? So the the standing, they just they like to stand up at the counter at the kitchen with their stool, and they they do that for snack and stuff like that.
Speaker 2:And they'll also will sit. They're really enjoying now sitting at a full full size table in regular adult chairs. Like, so they just skipped, they just yeah. They totally skipped the the booster seat, and they kinda just went to a regular seat and sitting at the table, and they're tall enough to do that since they, the pediatrician said they are the size of the 4 year olds. So, yeah, they can do that.
Speaker 2:I already told you the blooper in another episode about a plastic milk cup splitting open and exploding everywhere. Like, it was not the lid. Okay? It was literally the cup. The plastic cup split in half, and, like, the bottom just completely fell off and split open.
Speaker 2:So that was definitely a huge blooper. Never seen it before, but now I have. The boys also have developed exquisite taste. They discovered that they can eat peanut butter and a lot of jelly with a spoon. They don't need bread, and they actually love the oversized spoons now.
Speaker 2:So now they're like they're like, I don't want the toddler forks and spoons now. Give me, like, the adult spoons, and I want, like, the biggest size possible. I'll eat with that. They tried macaroons last weekend, and they love them. The grandparents got them on to fancy box of chocolates.
Speaker 2:Okay. I we did not do that, but how they're they love chocolate and they like the nice boxes. And, they also realized, like, a week ago, we had got a pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese frosting. Oh, yum. Right?
Speaker 2:It is PSL seasoned, guys, and and the pumpkin spice latte. And, so, yes, we have this pumpkin cake, and it was, like, the best thing they ever had. And they like, when they turned 3, I think they thought the cake was good, but this is on another level. Okay? They just realized how amazing cake is at almost 3a half.
Speaker 2:So, you know, more amazing than they ever knew before. So, yeah. They here's another one that's kind of just sort of unexpected is, you know, I would try to work with them to get them to learn how to breathe in and out for emotional regulation, and it never really clicked. Guess how they learned it? They learned to take the breath in from a friend who already learned how to take a breath in their age.
Speaker 2:Okay. Breath in. But they learned to breathe out, the breathe in, the breathe out. So learn the breath out, from a toddler bubble blower. So it's, made for toddlers.
Speaker 2:So they put their mouth to it and it's easier to blow bubbles, like, way easier. So they learn to do that blow out from their mouth. They learn to do that. So they what's taught them actually to a breath in and out is actually 2 separate things, and it wasn't even me teach trying to teach them to breathe. So there you go.
Speaker 2:Friends, peers, they could be a good big influence, but other fun things like e like the toddler bubble blower was, you know, is highly motivating for them to blow out and get those bubbles. Alright. And here's the last one. Okay. So they pick up on our words, you know, and they just kinda say them.
Speaker 2:So it's just it's sort of endearing. You know, if there's something that you say a lot, your toddler might just start saying it a lot too. And it depends on who their personality too. But so my one twin son, he will he's he says okay a lot. Like, he's like, okay.
Speaker 2:And then it'll be like and then he'll also say, like, it's okay. It's okay. And then the other thing he does is, he's like, and okay. So next then. Okay.
Speaker 2:And then, okay, I'm gonna do that. And I I do that. I do that. So I think that's funny. And, the my other son, he has picked up on the word honey, so I just use honey a lot.
Speaker 2:I don't know why. I just do. And so he's saying he's like, yes, honey, or I want to do it, honey. Like, it's so fun. Like, it's so much better when he says it than when I try to say it.
Speaker 2:But, he just starts using Hadi a lot. And so, yes, they do pick up on a lot of our behaviors and mannerisms and things as well. That's why modeling is so important. Modeling behavior, modeling connection, communication, and all those positive things. Okay.
Speaker 2:So that is it. And I'm so excited. Don't forget to, just scroll down if you're listening to the podcast now, or if you're not on the podcast, clicking the link to it, write that review, be entered into the 1 year podcast review party for toddler toolkit winners and outs from the giveaway on Thursday, October 17th. Alright. I'll see you guys in the next episode, and I hope you win.
Speaker 1:And that wraps up another episode filled with tools and insights to help your parenting journey have clarity and ease. Remember, every child is unique and so is our experience, especially when there's more than one. Keep celebrating those small victories and learning along the way. I'm Heather, your twin mama guide. And until next time, here's to raising skilled self regulated toddlers who listen, learn, and love.
Speaker 1:Take care and see you soon.