City parents and specialists discuss why the average two-year-old is smarter than you think, and how it’s possible to instill a sense of responsibility and confidence in them
Abeer pours water for himself
Netflix’s latest push is a 1990 Japanese reality show, distributed internationally as Old Enough! The show follows toddlers between two and five years running their first errand by themselves, with hidden safety and camera crews in tow. You’ll catch yourself rooting for the young protagonists as they make their way around their neighbourhoods, crossing lanes, paying for groceries, forgetting and remembering tasks in episodes under 10 minutes. For toddlers, it’s a great way to gain a sense of independence, confidence, accomplishment and responsibility.
Abeer chops vegetables with a toddler knife
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It’s not uncommon for children to carry out tasks independently outside the house at a young age in Japanese cities, considering the culture and planning is conducive to it. Anywhere else in the world, it will raise a question of safety. So, how can parents in Mumbai instill such skills and values in their toddlers? We speak to four parenting specialists and mommies to share their experiences and tips.
Try to model correct behaviour
Payal Narang, child psychologist and blogger, 38, Mumbai; Abeer Gandhi, 3.4 years
Let toddlers participate in household tasks and follow your lead. Encourage them without rushing them. Don’t offer help even if they are taking too long, unless they ask. Their confidence will grow when you let them experience and perform a task without too much interference. You can help by preparing for the activities. For example, set up a simple water station so they can pour water from a jug for themselves when they get thirsty. It might get a bit messy in the beginning, but they are quick learners.
Go working mums
Tripti Bhatia Gandhi, founder PR company, 33, Mumbai; Kayaan Gandhi, 2.5 years
Kayaan Gandhi
We introduce Kayaan to various experiences and allow him to observe, explore, help out in the way he wants to and decide what he likes. He makes smoothies and helps to knead atta. We’ve noticed that this makes him feel empowered.
As a working mother, it’s reassuring to know that my child is confident and has a sense of independence. Mum to mum — Trust your child, your instinct and yourself. Both you and your child, know what’s best. And just because you’re a working mom, there is no need for you to give in to any kind of guilt.
Terrific twos
Yashika Raparia, Montessori trainer and parenting influencer, 29, Pune; Nitya Solanki, 2 years
Little Nitya Solanki engrossed in a busy activity
We tend to focus on academics and forget that social intelligence is equally important for children. They should learn communication skills, generosity and kindness. There’s a term called ‘Terrible Twos’ because their tantrums step up when they turn two.
I like to call it ‘Terrific Twos’ because toddlers are at their best stage to learn independence. They love to have control over their tasks. But when we don’t give them time and space to work on skills, they throw tantrums. To help my daughter become independent and develop life skills, I base my parenting on observing her, what she chooses to engage with and then, incorporate that into an activity.
Take the culture of Montessori home
Mirelle Drego Prabhu, 39 and Ayisha Pereira, 40, founders, Little Butterflies Montessori School
Little Butterflies Montessori School
Montessori education caters to the needs of each child rather than an age group. It promotes self-motivated growth across planes of development through the material and prepared environment it offers.
>> The home is where children can safely explore, use, and master objects they encounter.
>> Give them child-sized equipment to use on tasks.
>> The aim of a task shouldn’t be its purpose, but experience. They can perfect it over time through repetition.
>> Keep toys on a rotation basis so they can appreciate one at a time, instead of running through toys at a quick pace and wanting to know what’s next.
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