Lessons Your Can Learn From Your Toddler

You most likely focus on what you can teach your toddlers rather than what you can learn from them. After all, there are many things you need to teach—from saying thank you to putting on a shirt.

 

But there are also many life lessons your toddler might be able to teach you. You simply have to be open to the idea that your toddler might have an even better way of thinking about certain things than most adults do.

Here are 13 lessons you can learn from your little one.

Don’t Give Up After Failure

Toddlers fail more than they succeed. They often fall down, put their clothes on inside out, and lose their tempers on a daily basis.

However, they aren’t embarrassed by their failures, and they don’t conclude that they’re incapable. Instead, they get back up and keep trying.

Be Curious

Toddlers are notoriously curious. Whether they’re asking questions or opening every drawer within reach, they want to learn as much as they can.

And they don’t just look at things—they explore them with all their senses. They want to taste, smell, hear, touch, and see everything they come in contact with.

Be Patient

Of course, they aren’t so patient about everything (like when asked to do something they don’t want to do). But watching a toddler try to do something they’re invested in doing can teach you a lot about your own patience.

Enjoy the Moment

One of the big perks of being a two-year-old is that you have few regrets about the past and even fewer worries about the future.

Adults often spend a lot of time trying to learn and practice mindfulness techniques. But for toddlers, living in the moment is second nature. No matter what activity they’re doing, they focus on the here-and-now.

Only Eat When You’re Hungry

Serving food to a toddler can be frustrating. They’re notoriously picky eaters, and they often refuse to eat anything at all.

But on the bright side, they only eat when hungry. They don’t eat just because the clock says it’s lunchtime, and they aren’t concerned about cleaning their plates. They listen to their bodies to know when it’s time to eat.

Be Yourself

Whether their hair is a mess or they’re the only child in the room, toddlers aren’t concerned about how other people perceive them. They’re too busy being themselves.

This doesn’t mean they aren’t shy sometimes—they definitely can be slow to warm up to some people. But this usually happens when they’re unsure about certain other people, not because they’re unsure about themselves.

Ask for Help When You Need It

While toddlers can be fiercely independent (often struggling to recognize their limitations), they also ask for help.

They aren’t ashamed to admit being unable to do something. And when someone does help them, they’re often quite gracious.