Does your toddler grab a play phone and say “Hello” just like you do or try to brush their hair when you do? If so, your toddler is starting to imitate what they see and hear others do.
For toddlers, imitating others indicates they are starting to learn more about themselves and develop independence — a major step in their developmental progress.
Toddlers learn by watching
Toddlers learn many things by watching and copying others including:
- How to master new skills. Simply by watching you do everyday things, toddlers are learning how to master new skills such as brushing teeth and picking things up.
- Speech skills. As a toddler, your child continues to repeat words they hear and learns how to put sounds and sentences together.
- Social skills. Watching everyday conversations helps your toddler learn social skills such as greeting others, manners and taking turns when talking.
- Independence. Imitation is a stepping-stone to independence. While imitating you, your toddler will start realizing, “I can do this!” Your toddler is learning how to do things on their own and building self-confidence.
Toddlers learn by listening, too
Like parrots, children listen to what you say, especially when you think they don’t. Like parrots, children also repeat what you say!
This is actually a very important part of their language development. Your child will follow your lead on everything you do, and language development occurs through interactions between the two of you. Because there is a positive relationship in place, your child wants to be just like you.
How does a child learn to talk? Learn to interact with others? It all starts with you. When you whisper sweet things into your newborn’s ears, they can tell by your tone of voice and gentleness that you are being kind towards them.
When you rub your child’s back and sing a soothing song to them, they know that they are safe and you will meet their needs.
When you talk to your child, maintain eye contact, allow them time to respond to you, and then “volley” those responses back and forth, you are helping them become interested in and competent at interacting and communicating.
The more your child hears you talk, the more they understand and begin to learn how to form their own words, and the more positive things they have to imitate.
Help teach by example
Here are some tips to encourage your toddler’s learning through imitation:
- Create a positive relationship. This is what interests children and motivates them to continue the game of communication.
- Talk to your child a lot each day. Ask them questions, explain things to them, show positive facial expressions, and react to any responses they give you.
- Sing with your child. Singing is talking to a tune, and children love to hear you sing. It’s gentle and comforting, but also new to them, so it attracts a child’s attention. Music helps children learn and builds brain connections. Add dancing to the mix, and you have a formula for fun.
- Read to your child. Reading is an easy way to incorporate language into your child’s day. Young children enjoy time on your lap, learning to value books, looking at pictures, hearing you describe the pages, and enjoying a shared experience.
- Make safety a top priority. Toddlers have not yet developed the ability to judge what is safe or not safe. Be sure to childproof your home to prevent accidents from happening.
- Remember, they are always watching. Model the behavior you want your toddler to imitate. If you say one thing and do another, your toddler will likely learn more by watching what you do. If you tell your toddler to not use a certain word and you say that word when your toddler is around, don’t be surprised when your toddler says the word again.
- Include your toddler in daily tasks. Toddlers love to learn, copy and help. Let your toddler help you with daily tasks like putting the dirty laundry where it goes or putting the spoons in the dishwasher.
- Give your toddler praise. If you see your toddler sweeping up their own spilled cereal, positively acknowledge their behavior. Your child has learned by watching you clean up messes and is now starting to take care of themselves.
- Admit when you make a mistake. Toddlers need to learn it’s OK to make mistakes and that no one is perfect, including you.
Free parenting class
Parenting is fun and full of surprises. Do you want to learn more about parenting your child?
Register now for the free class “Why I Do What I Do” to learn about:
- Why your toddler does what they do
- How your toddler’s temperament influences how they learn
- Tips and tools to encourage your toddler’s development
Learn more
- Saying ‘no’ a lot lately? Set up safe ways to say ‘yes’
- Top toddler discipline strategies to try
- Model good manners for toddlers
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
