Wonder Years Daycare – Aldergrove

I often get asked about how to help a child through a hitting/biting or otherwise physical phase so I’ve come up with a little list of methods that I have found to be tried and true: 1. Saying gentle hands… 2. Asking them to demonstrate gentle hands… 3. reminding them that the other person’s person is “not their body”… 4. Redirecting them to another activity/toy/food item… 5. Using kind but firm languaging and always using your manners i.e. “gentle hands please”… 6. If you know why they are acting out talk them through it ” I know that you wanted to stay outside, i hear you but it is time to go.”… 7. Tell them how it makes you feel when they hit/bite/etc. No they may not connect the dots yet but they will soon and this all adds to their base of empathy and awareness… Right now you are laying the frame work for their empathy so try your best to respond to their behaviours with consistancy and kindness. These stages can be challenging some times but know that your little one loves and trusts you most of all and that is a big part of why they flex so much “against” you. You are their safest place ?

Transitioning from infants to early-learners , self-directed play becomes an important theme in this program; learning outcomes include language development, socialization, self-help and fine motor skills. Language development is promoted in a variety of ways such as labeling the surrounding environment, repetition of emerging vocabulary, in addition to other personalized goals. All of this contributes to toddlers becoming confident learners.

We believe that children are born strong, capable, and ready to learn, with the knowledge and the motivation to grow and develop. Children are born confident, competent, and curious. Children are capable of constructing their own learning as an active participant. They are driven by their interests to understand and know more.