Try not to react more strongly than the situation calls for. Toddlers will often push the boundaries and ignore your initial request.
Researchers found that mothers’ maintaining behaviours (behaviours which helped the child to stay engaged in activities, such as choice-providing strategies) or flexibility during play allowed children to participate in learning activities, while gradually developing independent problem-solving skills. However, directive behaviours, such as mother-initiated task changes, hindered independent exploration and initiation. They found that mothers’ maintaining behaviours when their children were 2 to 3.5 years old supported general cognitive development both concurrently and when children were 4.5 years old. Landry S, Smith KE, Swank PR, Miller-Loncar CL. (2000). Early maternal and child influences on children's later independent cognitive and social functioning. Child Development.; 71(2):358–375. Dilworth-Bart, J. E. 1., Poehlmann, J. A., Miller, K. E., & Hilgendorf, A. E. (2011). Do Mothers’ Play Behaviours Moderate the Associations between Socioeconomic Status and 24-Month Neurocognitive Outcomes of Toddlers Born Preterm or with Low Birth Weight? Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 36(3), 289–300.
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