5 Myths About Toddlers Parents Need To Let Go Of Right Now

Toddlers have always been somewhat a mystery to parents. We’ve all heard of the terrible twos, the beginning of the toddler phase. Due to its bad reputation and a general lack of information, people have always believed that toddlers resemble mini demons more than they do humans. But this just isn’t true. As your little one grows and develops, they explore the world around them and react to it. Sometimes it’s positive and other times it’s not. Whatever the case may be, your toddler is still a little child, learning and absorbing everything they come across. Unfortunately, common misconceptions and old wives’ tales regarding toddlers still have a hold on parents today and that just won’t do. Read on to know them all.

In This Article

1. Myth: Baby Talk Will Hinder Their Vocabulary

Myth They Speak Worse Because Of Baby Talk
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Baby talk captures a baby’s attention, promotes bonding between the caregiver and child, and helps babies develop an understanding of the rhythms and patterns of language (1). It’s important to note that as babies grow and develop, they naturally transition to more complex language forms by imitating the speech they hear from adults.

Baby talk, used in moderation, is a beneficial and engaging way to support a child’s language acquisition, rather than hindering it (2). So, there is no need to worry about using baby talk when interacting with your little one; it’s a normal and helpful part of language development.

2. Myth: They Will Grow Up To Be Geniuses Only If They Start Reading Earlier

Myth They Will Become Geniuses If They Learn To Read Earlier
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This may seem impressive at the time but starting to read early doesn’t necessarily mean that your child is a genius or academically inclined and it certainly doesn’t guarantee any academic success either (3). Focus instead on candid language games or interactions with your child as they set off to school as language underpins learning across many domains. All kids learn differently, so don’t fret if your little one doesn’t gravitate towards books at an early age. Work with their interests instead to garner the best results.

3. Myth: They Must Eat Healthy Every Day

Myth They Must Have A Variety Of Food Everyday
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Not in this reality, they won’t. The most you can hope for is to ensure your toddlers’ diet is healthy and balanced. Toddlers are naturally picky eaters and can be reluctant to try new foods unless they are consistently exposed to them. So, if you’d like to incorporate a new vegetable or food group in your baby’s diet, keep at it. The truth is that toddlers typically do not eat food from every food group on a daily basis and you can’t simply force them to eat a healthy variety. All you can do is give them options and observe their preferences and likes. Find new ways to make things they don’t usually take to and ensure that they eat healthily.

4. Myth: They Aren’t Capable Of House Chores And Shouldn’t Be Asked To

Myth They Can’t Do Household Chores And Parents Shouldn't Ask Them To
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This one sounds like it was made up by a toddler! Your kids can and should help out in any way they can. At this stage, your toddler would love to do tasks independently, so let them. It will give them opportunities to feel involved and bond with others in the family. They can do small tasks like clean and organize their own toys and space, sort clean and dirty laundry, set napkins on the table and tidy up their room. The object is to make the chores simple, easy and fun. Repetition works best when trying to cultivate a habit so let them do the same chores for a while and don’t forget to encourage them with kind words and appreciation.

5. Myth: They Must Always Sleep Through The Night

Myth They Must Always Sleep Through The Night
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This just isn’t fair. Even adults have trouble sleeping through the night sometimes. It’s normal to wake up in the middle of the night for no reason at all. However, there may be some legitimate reasons for your toddler waking up now and then at night. For starters, toddlers have dynamic and chaotic sleep cycles which means that they tend to sleep and wake up unpredictably and it keeps resetting a lot (4). Your little one also experiences longer dreams and a downside of that is experiencing a nightmare from time to time. This may startle them awake and make it hard for them to fall back asleep again. Add to it the common anxiety that comes with separating from parents and it’s a wonder they sleep at all!

Parenting a toddler may be tricky and require energy but it isn’t the absolute hassle it’s made out to be. On the contrary, it can be a time full of fun, laughter and exploration. Don’t let these common myths pull you away from experiencing some of the best years of your child’s life alongside them. Happy parenting!

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