Navigating Big Emotions with your 21-month-old

For you

• 🧘If you need a break away from your child, ask another trusted adult to take over supervision first. If no one can take over, stay nearby and keep watching your child while you pause and breathe.
• 🤝If you have a partner, discuss a 'tag-team' plan for difficult moments. Knowing someone else can take over when you feel your own frustration rising can be a massive relief for both of you.
• 🌱Self-compassion is essential this month; remember that you do not need to be perfect to be a great parent. Simply being present and responsive to your child is enough, even on the days when tantrums feel overwhelming.

For your baby

• 🧸At 21 months, your toddler is experiencing intense emotions that they cannot yet put into words. When a tantrum begins, stay physically nearby to offer a calm, quiet presence rather than trying to explain why they shouldn't be upset.
• ✨After the emotional storm has passed, connect with your child through a gentle activity or a quiet cuddle to help them feel secure again. You might find that they are better able to listen or engage once their big feelings have fully subsided.
• 🎨For a simple play idea, try 'Large Block Sorting' using big, one-piece blocks; sit with your child and talk about the colors or shapes as they stack them. This quiet, focus-based play can be a helpful way to transition to a calmer state of mind.
• 🩺Development varies greatly at this age; if you ever feel concerned about your child’s emotional regulation or notice them losing a previously held skill, it is always a good idea to speak with your health visitor or doctor promptly.

🏆 Milestones

At 21 months, your toddler may be beginning to explore their independence through testing boundaries, expressing preferences more clearly, and developing a wider range of emotional expressions.