r/teachingtoddlers

HOORAY! 🎉🎶 See the world from her treetop branches, swing beneath her limbs, and sing-along as you watch the official music video for “This Ol’ Tree!” 🌳

I have always loved being in the company of a large, majestic tree! No matter what age I was - whether I was a kid or an adult, I have enjoyed and admired trees - they are beautiful and fun! From swinging, reading, climbing, or simply watching and observing its branches and leaves (or all of the insects and animals 🐿️ who call it home), trees are amazing!

Watch the official music video, and make sure to LIKE 👍 and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more fun and educational music videos from Cory McAtee!

Hello all!

I am a mom of a 19 month old who recently began pinching my spouse and I during nap and bed time. I truly believe malice is not the motivation, he has accepted it is bedtime, is almost asleep, and pinches us as he is falling asleep. We recently began introducing body parts and he is very curious and understands where his and our nose, ears, and belly are. He has always been curious to learn and is very bright for his age (I may be biased but these are my feelings). He is usually feeling tendons, knuckles, and parts of our throats in an exploratory manner.

He seems to be pinching in a self-soothing manner. We do not want to overcompensate correction even though when it's happening we are thinking, "OMG OW STOP THAT REALLY EFFING HURTS"

I am looking for guidance on redirection as well as ideas of other self soothing techniques for him. When I have told him, "That hurts mommy" he then recently has begun pulling at his own eyelashes. I am a chronic nail biter and have been my whole life, and that is also not something I want to pass to my child as a self-soothing technique. I have noticed in public settings he also chews on his hands for comfort, and I do not know how to approach the situation other than to say, "Mommy will keep you safe, don't chew your hands"

Any advice on how to approach the situation when he is doing it as well as other tools/objects that can be used that are safe for all parties are greatly appreciated. I ask for grace and kindness for although for some it may seem a simple solution for some, I truly don't know what avenue to take. Thank you to anyone responding.