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What’s So Terrible About Being Two?
By Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
So what’s up when a kid reaches age two? Many parents are ready to pull their hair out when their kids reach this
age… and it continues for about a year to a year and a half.
Parents of younger infants are lulled into a sense of ease when their son or daughter reaches about 6 months. By
this time infants are usually sleeping well through the night, able to sit in a high chair, can amuse themselves with
play and are enthralled with mom and dad’s gaze and smile. To many, parenting at this stage appears easy and
there is no way of appreciating just what lies ahead.
By 24 months however, toddlers may be bored with static toys, they are generally quite mobile – able to walk at a
brisk pace for multiple steps and highly explorative. Herein lies the set-up for the terrible twos, unless prepared.
Two-year-olds have this marvelously inquisitive mind, but absolutely no experience from prior learning to understand
“safe or harmful”, “good or bad”, “right or wrong”. As such, they simply set out to explore the world, as it is available
to them. Until they learn or experience otherwise, all objects are neutral. Objects have no inherent worth and are not
yet known for causing either pleasure or pain. It’s only when the child experiences the object can they determine its
value. Value to the two-year-old is usually a function of the pleasure an object can bring to the child. Pleasure is
derived from touch, taste, sight, sound and scent. Some things are pleasurable and “fun”, while others offer neither
amusement nor any particular pleasure. Other items, like the taste of a sour lemon, may cause displeasure and
children soon learn to avoid these.
Knowing this about normal childhood development, the challenge facing parents is to pre-empt negative outcomes
from their child’s exploration and learning while maximizing the opportunity for positive outcomes. To reduce
frustration and maximize the opportunity for your child’s learning and pleasure consider the following:
1. By this stage of life, if you haven’t already baby-proofed the home, do so. It is reasonable to put away the fancy
glass and china that adorns the coffee table, have safety latches on cupboard doors and gates on the stairs. Your
child will explore and this is normal and healthy, so get on your knees, look at your home from your child’s point of
view and fix anything that can cause harm. You will be more relaxed if you are less concerned bout household safety
hazards.
2. Telling a two-year-old what not to do, doesn’t mean they will know what to do. As such, they may stop doing what
you have told them, but may go on to another equally disturbing activity. It is reasonable to tell a child to stop doing
something, but not sufficient. Every time you tell a child what not to do, follow it up by redirecting the child to what
they can do and be specific. So if you say, “Go play”, this gives the child permission to do almost anything, whereas
if you tell the child, “You can play with the blocks or the dolls”, this more clearly directs the child to approved
activities.
3. Children do need to learn safe from harmful, right and wrong, good and bad. When your child does do something
you deem inappropriate, tell them so in a firm voice. However, don’t stop there. Next direct them to other approved
activities and soon after let them know how they are playing well.
4. Self-esteem grows the more the child gains mastery over their environment and self. While some areas may be
off-limits, other areas should be structured to allow exploration and play. A lower drawer in the kitchen filled with
plastic bowls and utensils offers the child a safe and inviting area to learn and have fun. Consider what other places
and activities are acceptable for your child and make them available.
So often parents of two-year-olds feel like all they say is “No”. Use the above suggestions and you may find yourself
saying “Yes” more often and those “terrible twos” may just be a little easier. By the time your child is 42 to 48
months, they will have learned much and will better understand what is safe or dangerous, right or wrong. It will be
easier. Use the suggestions and give it time.
Gary Direnfeld is a child-behavior expert, a social worker, and the author of Raising Kids Without Raising Cane (Secrets of the Trade,
1992). Since graduating with a Masters degree from the University of Toronto in 1985, Gary has not only helped people get along or feel
better about themselves, but has also enjoyed an extensive career in public speaking. He provides insight on issues ranging from
child behavior management and development; to family life; to socially responsible business development. Courts in Ontario consider
Gary an expert on matters pertaining to child development, custody and access and social work .You can email your comments to
mailto: gary123@sympatico.com.
By Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
So what’s up when a kid reaches age two? Many parents are ready to pull their hair out when their kids reach this
age… and it continues for about a year to a year and a half.
Parents of younger infants are lulled into a sense of ease when their son or daughter reaches about 6 months. By
this time infants are usually sleeping well through the night, able to sit in a high chair, can amuse themselves with
play and are enthralled with mom and dad’s gaze and smile. To many, parenting at this stage appears easy and
there is no way of appreciating just what lies ahead.
By 24 months however, toddlers may be bored with static toys, they are generally quite mobile – able to walk at a
brisk pace for multiple steps and highly explorative. Herein lies the set-up for the terrible twos, unless prepared.
Two-year-olds have this marvelously inquisitive mind, but absolutely no experience from prior learning to understand
“safe or harmful”, “good or bad”, “right or wrong”. As such, they simply set out to explore the world, as it is available
to them. Until they learn or experience otherwise, all objects are neutral. Objects have no inherent worth and are not
yet known for causing either pleasure or pain. It’s only when the child experiences the object can they determine its
value. Value to the two-year-old is usually a function of the pleasure an object can bring to the child. Pleasure is
derived from touch, taste, sight, sound and scent. Some things are pleasurable and “fun”, while others offer neither
amusement nor any particular pleasure. Other items, like the taste of a sour lemon, may cause displeasure and
children soon learn to avoid these.
Knowing this about normal childhood development, the challenge facing parents is to pre-empt negative outcomes
from their child’s exploration and learning while maximizing the opportunity for positive outcomes. To reduce
frustration and maximize the opportunity for your child’s learning and pleasure consider the following:
1. By this stage of life, if you haven’t already baby-proofed the home, do so. It is reasonable to put away the fancy
glass and china that adorns the coffee table, have safety latches on cupboard doors and gates on the stairs. Your
child will explore and this is normal and healthy, so get on your knees, look at your home from your child’s point of
view and fix anything that can cause harm. You will be more relaxed if you are less concerned bout household safety
hazards.
2. Telling a two-year-old what not to do, doesn’t mean they will know what to do. As such, they may stop doing what
you have told them, but may go on to another equally disturbing activity. It is reasonable to tell a child to stop doing
something, but not sufficient. Every time you tell a child what not to do, follow it up by redirecting the child to what
they can do and be specific. So if you say, “Go play”, this gives the child permission to do almost anything, whereas
if you tell the child, “You can play with the blocks or the dolls”, this more clearly directs the child to approved
activities.
3. Children do need to learn safe from harmful, right and wrong, good and bad. When your child does do something
you deem inappropriate, tell them so in a firm voice. However, don’t stop there. Next direct them to other approved
activities and soon after let them know how they are playing well.
4. Self-esteem grows the more the child gains mastery over their environment and self. While some areas may be
off-limits, other areas should be structured to allow exploration and play. A lower drawer in the kitchen filled with
plastic bowls and utensils offers the child a safe and inviting area to learn and have fun. Consider what other places
and activities are acceptable for your child and make them available.
So often parents of two-year-olds feel like all they say is “No”. Use the above suggestions and you may find yourself
saying “Yes” more often and those “terrible twos” may just be a little easier. By the time your child is 42 to 48
months, they will have learned much and will better understand what is safe or dangerous, right or wrong. It will be
easier. Use the suggestions and give it time.
Gary Direnfeld is a child-behavior expert, a social worker, and the author of Raising Kids Without Raising Cane (Secrets of the Trade,
1992). Since graduating with a Masters degree from the University of Toronto in 1985, Gary has not only helped people get along or feel
better about themselves, but has also enjoyed an extensive career in public speaking. He provides insight on issues ranging from
child behavior management and development; to family life; to socially responsible business development. Courts in Ontario consider
Gary an expert on matters pertaining to child development, custody and access and social work .You can email your comments to
mailto: gary123@sympatico.com.