happiest toddler on the block

[tama3]

I was just wondering if anyone here uses Dr. Harvey Karps toddlerese method of communicating with toddlers and if you have had success with it.

[Violet2]

I have used it and having worked with ESL students, keeping language simple and to the point enhances comprehension so I'm all for short sentences.

As for success, I would say it works instantly about 30% of the time, helps about 50% of the time and does nothing the rest of the time.

So it's a nice tool, but you need more to fill the tool box kwim?

HTH
V

[Juvysen]

I use it along with other methods. It works when it works... as with anything, I think. Honestly, I think the idea is the same as in "how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk" but just geared toward a younger age group that isn't maybe as good at verbal expression. It gives you tools for how to show toddlers you're listening, imo.

[M&RsMom]

I've had really good success with it for my 18-month old. The simple language and validating his feelings always gets his attention long enough to listen to what I have to say.

[tama3]

thanks

thanks you guys appreciate the feedback

[RollerCoasterMama]

I read it at a friend's house when I was pregnant and stashed the idea in my parenting tricks. I don't do it all the time--at least not the extreme. But I do find that validating his feelings in a simple to understand manner helps. He knows that I hear him. Sometimes that helps. When he was pre-verbal and not signing much, I did it more often. Once he started signing, he had the vocabulary - at least understood, so I was able to sign/speak to show that I understood him and didn't have to be quite so dramatic as Dr. Karp recomends.

As he got older, I've been helping to give him a vocabulary of emotions--including permission to say he's mad or wants something instead of tantruming. Um. It's a work in progress! :P But he will usually start with "I not happy YOU" before going up a notch to hitting. So that's progress!

It all started with Dr. Karp's idea that I have to show him that I understand where he's coming from and validate that feeling. I might implement it a bit differently, but it's the same idea. Younger toddlers seem to require more animated cave-man language because their verbal skills aren't quite there yet.

But one thing I definitely took away was the idea that we go over the top excited when we're happy. But when they're on the opposite end of the spectrum our instinct is to be calm and soft to sooth and that can seem like we're not taking their intense emotions seriously. When that's happening, I definitely pull out the cave-man ideas!