Tricky Times with Toddlers

Often toddlers get a bad rap. In their effort to gain independence, seek control and exert their power they end up saying “no” a lot. At this point, you may be able to distract a child and help them to begin to cooperate, or they may stomp their feet, get red in the face, cry, and even head bang. While tantrums are a normal part of child development, for child care providers, it can be aggravating and inconvenient because you are tending to multiple children and trying to keep to a routine. If one child melts down, it can throw the whole routine off and disrupt the whole classroom.  

Many toddlers are coping with big feelings and do not know what to do with their emotions. It is difficult for them to deal with conflicting feelings and they often do not cope very well. For example, they may feel love and affection for you, their child care provider, but simultaneously feel angry at you because you won’t let them play at the sensory table at that moment. 

There are many other factors that contribute to tantrums. We know that children are more likely to lose control when they are tired, hungry, uncomfortable, or upset. We also know that tantrums often happen when a child is denied something that he/she wants. As many of us are aware, children also get frustrated when they do not have the language skills to express their feelings. This can be a developmental delay, or simply the child’s age and development. Transition times are particularly hard if the child is being asked to stop an activity he/she loves, like playing outside, and starting an activity he/she is not as excited about, like lunch. Similarly pick up time can instigate a tantrum because they have been having so much fun at child care and do not want to get in their car seat and leave. 

Undoubtedly, you have many strategies to help toddlers and older children who are losing control. Sometimes touch can be helpful. Sometimes ignoring the tantrum until the child barely begins to regain some control. At that point, you praise the changed behavior, help them settle down and resume the activity the others are participating in. The main thing to remember is that it is impossible to reason with a child who is having a rage episode. They cannot hear you or process what you are saying. The key moment to intervene is the moment they begin to calm down. It is important to show forgiveness to the child and help them integrate back into the group as soon as possible. Forgiveness is extremely important, because the way you see the child, is the way the child sees herself. If you can be a mirror that reflects how wonderful, beautiful, and amazing she is, she will feel loved and respected and accepted just the way she is. She then can learn to love, respect, and accept herself as well. None of us act put together all of the time, but that is what makes us human. 

Is your child care on a septic system?

If your child care has an onsite septic system, learning more about your system can help you protect the children in your care and possibly save you from having to make expensive repairs. We have a new class specifically designed for Snohomish County child cares who have an onsite septic system. This class is worth 2 free STARS credits and can be taken online whenever it is convenient for you. You can sign up on our Child Care Class website. Please note that this course is only available for child care providers who have an onsite septic system. If you do not have one, you will not be able to complete the course assignment and will not receive credit.

We also encourage Snohomish County child cares on septic systems to sign up for the Septic Scoop Newsletter. You can do so by visiting www.snohd.org/notifyme. You can find previous editions of the newsletter here.

Product Recalls

It is important to periodically check your child care products for items that have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This is required by your licensing regulations WAC 110-300-0150-1(h) and 110-300-0295-2(h).

CPSC has Recall Roundup video series that describes various recalled products. You can do a search for child products on their main website at www.cpsc.gov/recalls. Below are a few recently recalled products. Click on the photo for more information.