Getting a toddler to do anything you want them to
do is always a challenge. The same goes when it comes to brushing
teeth. Here are some tactics for getting toddlers to brush their teeth.
1. Let Your Toddler Pick His (or Her) Own
Brush and Paste
Toddlers are going through a phase where they are
struggling for autonomy. Being given the chance to select their own
toothbrush and toothpaste can help them feel empowered and "grown up".
Sometimes being the ones to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste
is enough to encourage them to brush their teeth because they were
actively involved from the outset.
These days, there is a large variety of
toothpastes and toothbrushes for children available. To help facilitate
your toddler's decision-making, select two brushes and two tubes of
toothpaste before presenting it to your toddler to make the final
choice, otherwise you might find yourself in the shop for the rest of
the day while your toddler tries to make up his (or her) mind.
2. Offer Toothbrushes with Your Toddler's
Favourite Characters
With the large variety of toothbrushes for
children available these days, it is almost impossible not to find one
with a character that appeals to your toddler. Sometimes the idea of
being able to brush with a Pooh toothbrush or a Mickey toothbrush can
be enough to entice a toddler to brush his (or her) teeth.
3. Interesting Toothpastes
These days, children's toothpastes also come in a
variety of "favourite" flavours. Let your child pick the flavour he (or
she) likes best and you will find greater cooperation when it comes to
brushing time. The unfortunate downside to this is that it also
encourages toddlers to eat the paste rather than simply brush with it.
For this reason, it is important to screen your toddler's toothpastes
to make sure they are fluoride free or have low fluoride content.
Fluoride, though excellent for preventing tooth decay, is not intended
for regular consumption through toothpastes.
Alternatively, toothpastes that come in different
colours might be more exciting to your toddler than the standard
"white" toothpaste. Gel pastes are usually a hit - although you should
first make sure that the mint is not too hot for your toddler.
4. Give Your Toddler a Free Reign
Although toddlers have poor manual dexterity and
probably will not do a good job of brushing their teeth, sometimes it
helps to hand over the brush and let them attempt to clean their teeth
on their own. You can always take over towards the end to make sure the
job is done well.
5. Rewards
Offering a sticker or reward for each brushing
experience can sometimes produce results. With an older toddler you can
create a sticker chart where your toddler earns a sticker every time he
(or she) brushes. Once x number of stickers have been collected, you
can reward your toddler with a bigger prize.
6. Brush Together
Some toddlers like to mimic their parents'
actions. If Daddy is brushing his teeth, your toddler may also be
willing to do the same.
7. Positive Reinforcement
There are lots of children's programs and books
showing favourite characters cleaning their teeth. If your toddler is
particularly stubborn about cleaning his (or her) teeth, make sure you
watch some of these programs or read these books together. Then when it
comes to brushing time, you can remind your toddler how his (or her)
favourite characters brush their teeth to keep them clean and healthy.
Toddlers, though often challenging to handle, are
not completely unreasonable. When given the right motivation, they can
be encouraged to do most of the things you want them to.
Article Source: http://
www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/tips-for-getting-your-
toddler-to-brush-1048882.html About the Author
Shen-Li is a stay-at-home-mum dedicated to the
pursuit of excellence in parenting. She has a formal educational
background and former work experience in healthcare. If you enjoyed
this article, visit her blog
Babylicious
and follow her as she learns how to raise a happy, confident and
successful person. | 