7 Tips on Being a Good Parent to a Toddler
Parents play an essential role in a child’s life, with a significant ability to shape their personality, development, and future. In this article, we discuss how you can guide your toddler through the preschool years.- Provide Comfort and a Safe Environment
Unlike many animals, human babies are born entirely dependent. A parent’s greatest task is to support the child’s healthy development, ensuring proper nutrition, sleep, and safety. Regular check-ups with healthcare professionals help monitor their health and overall development.
As your toddler grows, provide a safe sleeping area and, if possible, a separate children’s room. Teach them hygiene habits gradually, like washing hands after the toilet and before meals, brushing teeth, bathing, and using napkins at the table.
Offer a varied diet, avoiding foods with additives like sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives. Give your child nutritious food that matches their age and medical needs.
As your child grows, keep their environment safe. Check that plug covers are in place and that stairs or banisters are protected with gates or nets. - Introduce the World – Explain How Things Work
Children come into the world without knowledge or skills. It’s the parents who are their first and most important guides, often for life.
Parents must explain household dangers, like high stairs, sharp objects, or unfamiliar animals, and teach road safety and playground rules. Do this gradually and calmly to avoid making your child anxious.
Don’t constantly remind them about things like boiling kettles. Say it once, then, after a while, let them gently touch the kettle (safely) so they understand. Reinforce lessons by telling stories—perhaps about a talking kettle that asks not to be touched when hot.
Children model their behavior on their parents, consciously and unconsciously. Demonstrate the values and behaviors you want your child to develop. For example, if you encourage perseverance, show it with your own actions during challenges. Children absorb your reactions more than your words. - If You Can’t Teach, Just Be Present with Your Child
Not everyone has the talent for teaching, and sometimes attempts to “instill” a certain quality may fail. Maybe your child has different abilities, isn’t ready yet, or your approach doesn’t fit.
These occasional “failures” aren’t reason to lose heart. The good news is your child learns simply by being with you. Be the kind of person you want them to become by creating a warm, supportive home. They will naturally reflect your habits, lifestyle, conversations, and relationships. - Don’t Take Your Anger Out on Your Children
No matter how you feel, don’t show aggression toward your children. They trust and depend on you. Instead, find calm and inspiration from your time together. Raising kids “so they don’t bother you” is not healthy. Children need your attention and patience, especially when facing their “big” little problems. Yelling can feel easier, but it doesn’t solve problems—and it can damage your relationship.
Advice:
If you’re unsure if your parenting approach is correct, try our unique Parenting Mentor Test. After answering a few simple questions, you’ll get detailed insight into your parent-child relationship and helpful recommendations highlighting your parenting strengths. - Share Positive Energy
A positive outlook on life helps in difficult times. Notice what your family talks about most.
If your conversations focus on:
• fears and worries,
• disasters and global problems,
• work or family struggles,
• unfairness or injustice,
• conflicts and blame,
then your child may not develop a positive worldview. Such topics can lead to negativity, anxiety, and passivity. These are not traits of a happy childhood—children raised this way may struggle with relationships and enjoying life’s opportunities. Instead, end each day by sharing positive moments, celebrating small wins, and asking your child what good things happened that day. - Support Healthy Self-Esteem
Support and praise your child—the way you view them is very important. Even offhand comments like “lazy” or “clumsy” can shape their self-image, possibly hindering their growth. Help them develop confidence, not helplessness or insecurity.
Avoid negative labels and pitying tones like “poor thing” or “you don’t look well.” Instead, celebrate their achievements: assembling blocks solo (even if it took teamwork before), brushing their teeth (even if it’s the first time), or dressing themselves (make an event of the “first tights or pants” day). - Play Joyfully
Parents often choose toys for learning and development. But research shows that preschoolers learn best through playing with their parents—the most interactive “toys” of all. Children often expect warmth and care from moms, and fun or education from dads.
Play is an essential way for children to explore the world. When they see you genuinely enjoying playtime, they feel valued and loved, building trust and intimacy.
Advice:
Develop a more mindful and joyful approach to parenting by taking our psychological Parenting Mentor Test. Our specialists will give you a detailed description of your family dynamics and offer practical advice to help you and your child enjoy your life together.