30.8.1: Too High Expectations for Self-Control
- Page ID
- 199562
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Setting realistic expectations for infants and toddlers’ self-control is crucial. An example that illustrates this is placing cookies on the snack table while toddlers wait for their hands to be washed or for others to finish using the potty. If you leave the cookies within reach for an extended period, toddlers will likely start eating them. Expecting toddlers to resist the temptation of accessible cookies for several unsupervised minutes is unrealistic.
This situation demonstrates that infants and toddlers are still developing impulse control and need guidance and structure to help manage their impulses. Therefore, caregivers should adapt the environment to support this developmental stage. For instance, keeping the cookies out of reach until everyone is ready for snack time would be a more suitable approach. Alternatively, having a caregiver sitting at the table to help focus the toddler's attention on something besides the cookies. This aligns with the children’s current self-regulation ability.
A part of self-control that involves the capacity to resist an immediate desire or urge.
The ability to understand and manage one's behavior and reactions, particularly in response to external demands.
Understanding and respecting these developmental limits is key to creating an environment where toddlers can learn and practice self-regulation within the boundaries of their capabilities. Setting them up for success in such situations helps nurture their growth and development appropriately [1].
Attributions
- [1] Hunter, A., & Blackwell, K. T. (2011, November). Social emotional development within the context of relationships Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning. (2011, November). Strategies for supporting the development of friendship skills in ... [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/inftodd/mod2/2.15.pdf