Calming Terrific Toddlers: Evidence-Based Strategies That Reduce Aggression and Promote Self-Regulation, by Raelene Ostberg, M.Ed.

Thriving Together

Despite the best efforts of early childhood educators, some toddlers naturally hit, bite, and otherwise display aggressive behaviors. These common tiny-tot behaviors challenge caregivers and parents and are among the biggest stressors they encounter. Because it is so complicated to understand what drives toddler behavior and redirect it, it's hard to know how to support them in learning self-regulation.

Join toddler expert Raelene Ostberg, M.Ed. Director of Thriving Together and author of the Taming Those Terrific Toddler Webinar Series, to learn and apply a four-step “HELP” model to transform unwanted behaviors and support toddlers’ prosocial development. Throughout this session, you will gain an understanding of the hidden fuel that sparks these fires in early childhood settings.

During this presentation, you will:

• Identify the hidden triggers that can fuel hitting, biting, kicking, and other unwanted behavior in group settings.

• Gain an understanding of the difference between an unhelpful and instinctual “power” approach and the contrasting “influential” response to transform these tense moments.

• Explore a four-step process and real-life coaching techniques you can use the moment an aggressive act occurs to help toddlers build critical self-control skills, cope with strong feelings, and learn appropriate actions they can use when toddlers experience aggressive impulses in the future.

• Analyze videos of adults responding to unwanted behaviors in group settings to pinpoint helpful adult strategies.

You will walk away with proven methods to use during these stressful moments to teach toddlers the self-regulation skills needed, diminish destructive behaviors, and ensure calm in your early childhood environment.