What Is Meant by Redirecting a Toddler's Behavior?

Toddlers continue to need their parents̵7; guidance and positive support as they complete the astonishing transformation from passive infant to active toddler. Expect your little one to experience many behavioral obstacles, or bumps in the road. Some of the common sources of problematic behaviors include poorly developed self-control, fatigue and frustration. Parents help their toddlers to circumvent behavioral bumps in the road through redirecting behavior. Redirection is a positive strategy that permits parents to modify a toddler̵7;s inappropriate behavior without using punitive or negative techniques.

  1. Redirecting Angry Behavior

    • Uncontrolled anger is a powerful and sometimes frightening emotion for your toddler. The children̵7;s development website Zero to Three reports that some children struggle more than others to regain their previous relaxed state following an angry incident. To redirect your angry toddler, offer suggestions that help her to communicate the angry feelings in a socially appropriate manner. For example, demonstrate how to punch a fluffy pillow or make up a silly song about
      feeling angry. (Reference 1)

    Redirecting Failed Objectives

    • When your toddler initiates a new course of action, her methods for achieving the goal and the steps for reaching the objective may appear haphazard at best. However, when your toddler̵7;s illogical efforts fail, redirect her with attractive alternatives to obtain the goal behavior, minimize frustration and dry tears. For example, you might say, ̶0;It̵7;s not okay to hit the dog with your book because hitting hurts. You can help me brush the dog very gently, or we can read your book.̶1; (Reference 2)

    Redirecting Through Distraction

    • Your toddler̵7;s limited attention span makes distraction a successful choice in a parent̵7;s toolbox of redirection strategies. Modifying your toddler̵7;s problematic behavior can be as simple as redirecting her attention to something else. For example, distract and delight your toddler with an unexpected enticement ̵1; suggest that she help you with dusting the coffee table, act out a favorite story or embark on an expedition to discover insects in the back yard. (References 3 and 4)

    Redirecting Through Location

    • Although redirection ordinarily refers to changing your toddler̵7;s behavior through an alternative activity or item, redirection can also include a change in venue. For some toddlers, retreating to a special area in the home -- embellished with a soft blanket, pillows and a few preferred toys -- produces a calming effect. Or provide a new setting more informally by taking your toddler̵7;s hand and inviting her to join you outdoors for a few minutes. (Reference 2)

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