Season three of Parenting with Ngala kicks off with a look at toddlerhood: those wild, wonderful years between twelve months and three years. Jen and Hannah dig into what is happening inside a toddler's brain, why meltdowns make total sense, and why toddlers might look like little people, but are nowhere near little adults.
They cover language development in depth: why parents understand their toddler far better than anyone else, why correcting speech backfires, what to expect at twelve and eighteen months, and why bilingual toddlers are getting a gift, not falling behind. They also unpack the shift from challenging behaviour to using words, and how to hold warm, loving boundaries.
From climbing and clumsy falls to rupture and repair, self feeding and shoes flying off at the door, Jen and Hannah reassure parents that most of what feels chaotic about toddlerhood is right on track, while sharing the signs that might be worth flagging with a child health nurse.
Is this episode for you?
This episode is perfect for parents with a baby aged 12 months –3 years who want to have a clearer understanding on their child's behaviour.
Resources:
📞 Need more help? For those in Western Australia, you can call the Ngala Parenting Line on 08 9368 9368 for free expert support from our team.
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Timecodes:
(00:00) Introduction: toddlers are little people, but not little adults
(01:00) Acknowledgement of country and Season 3 welcome
(01:30) Meet Hannah and Jen: entering the toddler years
(02:00) Why toddler brains cause big meltdowns
(02:45) Executive function: decision-making, logic and impulse control
(04:15) Neuroplasticity: neurons that fire together wire together
(05:15) What supports healthy brain development in toddlers
(06:15) Play is the occupation of childhood
(07:15) Why parents understand toddler speech better than anyone else
(08:15) First words and easy sounds, like dada and bubble
(09:15) Why correcting a toddler's speech backfires
(10:15) Word counts around 12 months and the language explosion
(11:15) 18 months: two word phrases and the first no
(12:15) Warm boundaries: what to do when your toddler says no
(14:00) Public meltdowns and letting go of judgement
(16:15) How language explosions disrupt toddler sleep
(17:45) Naming to tame it: the shift from behaviour to words
(19:15) Biting and pushing at daycare
(20:15) Bilingual toddlers: a gift, not a delay
(21:30) Receptive language: helping toddlers understand you
(23:15) Narrating your day and serve and return
(24:15) Gross motor development: climbing, running and risk
(26:15) Bumps, bruises and why toddlers are so clumsy
(27:15) How to respond when your toddler falls over
(29:15) Rupture and repair after a hard moment
(30:15) Scooters, balance bikes and fine motor milestones
(33:15) Brushing teeth, shoes on and off, and building independence
(34:45) Parallel play: why toddlers don't share yet
(36:15) When to flag language delays with a child health nurse
(38:15) Walking milestones and restrictive play
(39:15) Struggling with transitions and trusting your gut
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Produced by Podwave Studios: https://podwavestudios.au/
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