Helping Your Charged-Up Toddler Unwind

My two-year-old is constantly on the go, always looking for something new to try (or get into). Her day consists of little more than move, move, move. However, when she finally crashes, it can be a disastrous nosedive back to reality, ending with a crumpled heap of crying toddler on the floor. Despite their seemingly endless supply of energy (and perhaps because of it), it is important for toddlers to get their fair share of down time. Here are some ways to help them keep their balance.

Quiet Time: Turn off the television and radio, and keep noise at a minimum. Speak a couple of levels down from your normal inside voice. Creating a quieter environment for your toddler cuts down on stress and helps them calm down and unwind from their time in overdrive.

Floor Time: Spend some quality time on the floor with your toddler. It doesn't necessarily matter what you do during this time, as long as it's calm (no wrestling around). Work on fine motor skills with your toddler by coloring or stacking blocks. Try B. Elemenosqueeze Soft ABC Blocks, a set of 26 with each one illustrating a letter of the alphabet with a different animal. The blocks are soft, so your toddler can throw them (if they haven't yet gotten the hang of downtime), chew them, even play with them in the bathtub. They retail for $15.99 at Target.

Bath Time: Let your toddler unwind in the bathtub. Give them some toys (like the soft blocks I mentioned before) or even just a couple of cups to play with in the water. Wash your toddler with Johnson's Bedtime Bath Soap or add a drop of their Bedtime Baby Oil to the bath water. The products are made with a blend of lavender and chamomile, so they naturally soothe and calm your toddler.

Story Time: Cuddle up with a book or two with your toddler. Reading to kids--even very young ones--has numerous benefits. It aids in brain development, strengthens language and speech skills, and provides valuable parent-child bonding time. The more you read to your toddler, the more likely he or she will enjoy reading later on. Choose books that are short, with simple language and bright pictures. Discuss the pictures with your toddler, identifying objects or animals on each page. Point out when children in the book are doing something good (sharing, using the potty) and discuss any emotions that characters show (a smiling girl is happy, a frowning boy is sad, etc.).

These are just a few of the ways you can help your charged-up toddler relax. Making time throughout the day to share in one or more of these activities will not only allow your child to unwind, but also establish a routine that will aid in his or her emotional, social, and physical development.