Adults caring for a child should try to keep his or her behavior within certain limits. Sometimes parents think that any control over the child’s actions will interfere with his creativity and independence, only helplessly looking at how the baby does whatever he wants. In another case, parents are convinced that a small child should behave deliberately in everything, like a small adult. They control and limit the child’s behavior, giving him almost no autonomy. The disadvantages of such extremes are obvious. Any instructions from parents should not go beyond common sense and must take into account children’s needs for safety, independence and creativity.
Parents’ reactions help children understand how their actions affect those around them. Toddlers need feedback to learn how to consider the needs of others. Feedback can be in the form of praise for good behavior (“What a good boy, you cleaned the toys yourself!”), or a mild reprimand (“Careful, you can hurt your little sister that way”). The main object of criticism should be the child’s behavior, not him or herself.