The more I think about it, the more I feel that toddlers live in a world of their own. A world which defies all logic and reasoning, at least to the rest of us. Sometimes, I am flabbergasted by some of Little Dude's actions. But I'm sure that every parent goes through these thoughts and then gives up!
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Oh, I'm very rational!
(Pic: Larali21/ Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0) |
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some Secret Department for Research in Mystifying Toddler Behaviour somewhere (though it makes for a horrible acronym)! We are all aware that they do strange things, these little humans, but why do they do it? Go figure.
Here's my list of six baffling toddler behaviours:
Naked run: It is
common enough and no toddler list is complete without this point. But aren't they just a bit too comfortable in their own skin? It gets funnier when they want to accessorize this look with shoes or hats! Or try to strip in the mall.
Eating off the ground: I think toddlers do have some understanding of what 'dirty' is and they also have a
sense of what is not normal. So why do they find everything on the floor so appetizing? Not just the food they throw on it, but the junk too. I've already written about what a
hard job it is to stop them from doing this.
Getting stuck in strange places: You hear a funny sound and see your toddler stuck in a drawer or behind the TV cabinet. It really throws you off before you can even react, doesn't it? Normally cautious toddlers will think nothing of squeezing into nooks and crannies.
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They're still figuring it out at the SDRMTB
(Pic: Zaiar/ Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0) |
Mouthing everything: See point two. I can't understand why, when they come upon something new, toddlers want to taste it? Is this their thought process: "Oh, here's a funny looking thingamajig. Maybe I'll just put it in my mouth to figure it out!"
Fickle desires: How can you like watermelon for two whole days in a row and then spit it out on the third? I'm sure most parents identify with this. Out toddler pals will absolutely love something - food, TV show, game, book - for a few days and hate the sight of it later.
Fighting bath and sleep time: Again, very common, but also the most illogical. What is there to hate about a refreshing bath and a comfortable bed? I would take up that offer any time of the day!
I'll add a few that are not so common but Little Dude exhibits off and on:
- Playing anywhere except on the grass at the park
- Playing with anything except the new toys
- Standing on my feet when he can easily stand anywhere else
- Waiting for his dad to come home and then refusing to leave my side
- Putting toys in places where he can't reach and asking me to get them, again and again!
Do share your baffling toddler stories!
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Since he started speaking, Little Dude has been focusing on his language. But more importantly, he is now trying to use his ever-expanding vocabulary to communicate. I think that is a very important development for any child. He doesn't need to cry for everything anymore! He uses a combination of gestures, words and actions to convey things. He communicates what he wants, what he wants to do, what he doesn't want to do (very often!) and also what he likes. It's interesting how he copies certain actions he has seen others do and associates them with something. So, 'dancing' is how he says he wants to watch a video (oh yeah, that's still happening!). He can swing a bat like he sees his dad or other kids. He even imitates how other kids talk or cry. I think this means that he is keen to speak and learn new things, and now he is more influenced by what he sees us and other people do.
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