First day back at work after the holidays. All I heard this morning was "no, no, no". Getting ready with any kind of time limit is tough!
When it says pet word is "no" in the list below, it's not kidding!
18 Months - Period of disequilibrium. This refers to emotional instability - not physical imbalance. Child may have tantrums, laugh one minute, cry the next, get angry and frustrated easily.
- Seems to walk down one-way street the wrong way from the adult point of view. Asked to "come here," either stands there or runs in opposite direction, may even walk backwards. Asked to put something in the wastebasket, more likely to empty out what is already in it. Hold out your hand to take the just emptied cup and he will drop it to the floor. Give him a second sock to put on and he will probably remove the one already on his foot. Seems to enjoy the opposite, but you can put this to work. If he is running away from you, say "Bye-bye" and walk away from him. He may come running.
- Seldom obeys a verbal command. Pet word is "No."
- There are so many abilities he has not yet mastered. He has not yet reached the place where he is easily motivated by words, not yet at the place where he can wait. Efforts to get him to wait are usually doomed to failure. "Now" is the one dimension of time important to him.
- Interpersonal relations are all "take," and no "give." He may treat people except parents, especially children, as objects, even to the point of stepping on them. He has not begun the concept of sharing.
- Understands more words than he can say, though that is extremely limited.
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- Can walk, run, sometimes climb, but balance is very unsteady.
- Usually has a quick temper and needs to have something "Now." His emotions are as immature as any other part of him.
- Suggestions for handling:
a. Remember he is an extremely immature creature
b. Do not call him. Lure, pick up, and carry.
c. Physical barriers to prohibit things are much better than verbal.
d. Any verbal commands should be short and simple: "Coat, hat, out."
e. Keep demands at a minimum.
f. Give close and constant physical supervision.
g. Give him plenty of outlets for his energy.
h. Use guile. Do something interesting to lure him.
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