Oh the thrilling three year stage. A precious time filled with incessant “why” questions, tantrums that make the “terrible” two’s look like a walk in the park and a stubbornness that will make any parent want to pull their hair out.
My tiny tot has hit an all time high in the verbal department. We can communicate back and forth. We make up stories. She asks for things that she needs and has an opinion about wants. She also has an opinion about how things are done, when things are, who is doing said thing. It’s all so magical.
As a parent, I read books. I try to understand the psychology behind the stage and while fasinating and insightful, when in the throws of battle, I mean parenting, it generally means nothing. I did squeeze out a tidbit that has helped a bit. One appropriately titled book that highlights this age, Your Three Year: Friend or Enemy by Loiuse Bates Ames, point out that this age is still very dependent on schedules. Albeit slightly dated as it’s written in the 80’s it’s still plenty relevant and insightful.
So, I started giving Sofia a “checklist” to get us through transitions and establish a routine. Example, we need to leave the house in the morning. I would tell her, “we have 3 things on our checklist, potty first, then shoes, then we leave”. I’ve tried limiting it to three because that seems to be the most she can remember at any given time.
It’s immensely helpful. She will repeat back the list and yell “check” when completing a task. Only problem, we’ve moved a little further along in the age group and she wants to do everything on her own. Also, it’s become a little too much of a time suck to continually give her a new set of 3 “checklist” items.
I came up with a morning and night visual checklist that I plan to laminate and hang low enough for her to reach. This will let her see the progress she’s making and what she has left to do. Double bonus, we incorporate written word to work on letters and site word list.
The fact that she is excited about checklist makes me warm and fuzzy inside. I mean, really, who knew toddlers could be into checklist! I will update once the new system is up and running wih feedback straight from the toddler herself.
How do you train your toddler? Checklist! For the win! (Fingers crossed anyhow)