How to Decode Your Toddler's Body Language

Actions speak louder than words. Your toddler may sometimes be a bit tight-lipped about their needs and wants, but there are ways to decipher their body language. There are times when your child may be unable or unwilling to communicate their feelings to you verbally. Some non-verbal expressions are obvious like screaming, crying, laughing, etc. These should not be hard to decipher. However, there are a few subtle ones that you may have some trouble interpreting. Understanding your child’s many quirks can help improve your parenting in considerable ways. The following are 8 non-verbal cues to watch out for that may reveal your toddler’s innermost feelings. Apprehension and Dislike Sometimes your child just does not want to interact with the world. They may be feeling apprehensive towards an object, a person, or even a situation. When this happens, your toddler will cross their arms, tilt their face or head down, arch their back, turn away, and even hide their face. In these types of situations, your child may be uncomfortable in that present setting and may desire to escape it. So remove them, or the object of their discomfort, from the equation. Guilt and Shame Children do naughty things when they’re out of sight. If your toddler is avoiding eye contact, this likely means that they are hiding something. This could be an accident or something much serious. Be sure to coax the truth out of them without freaking them out. You want your child to trust you, and punishing them for an honest mistake will drive a wedge in your relationship. Other indications of shame that you may want to watch out for is looking away with a frown. However, if they are frequently avoiding eye contact, something may be wrong. If they are also behind on their developmental milestones, then your toddler may have autism. Take them to a physician to confirm or deny your suspicions. Independence and Attention If your child has started running away from you, it means that they’re ready for some 'me' time. Don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you’ve suddenly gone radioactive. It just means they’re starting to find their identity away from you. Children may often want to explore and understand the world on their own terms. Perhaps having you around all the time has already become a bit suffocating. So learn to untangle. Your child will come running back to you when they need you. However, if a child is too attached to you, there are ways to encourage independence. On the other hand, if children are spending too much alone and prefers to sit by themselves, then it’s a bit different. This may indicate that they want attention. Head banging may also indicate a need for attention. Your child may seek stimulation or physical contact. Other attention-seeking behaviours include whining, crying, and tugging on clothes. Distress and Displeasure Children also feel things like frustration and unhappiness, just like adults. Aside from obvious things like whining and crying, children may also resort to violence to display their negative emotions. Hitting dolls and other adults, clenching their fists, and pulling their own hair, all indicate feelings of anger and despair. Frowning is also a good indication that your child is unhappy with something. It can mean anything from sadness to disappointment, or uncertainty. Toddlers also frown when they don’t get their way. Tantrums are a part and parcel of parenthood. But luckily, there are ways to handle them. Anxiety and Fear When children experience the big bad world for the first time outside the house, they may be overwhelmed. Tugging on your clothes is a sure sign that they’ve had enough of being in public. Hiding their face, rocking back and forth, and looking around the room at each person may also indicate some anxiety. If they are holding onto you, they may be suffering from separation anxiety. If they are starting to hold or manipulate their genitals, it may be a coping response to anxiety as well. Interest and Enthusiasm Children express excitement in many ways through their body language. They may jump around, smile, and wave their arms about. However, some children may express interest and enthusiasm in much subtler ways. If your child is intrigued by something, they may tilt their head sideways or up. They may also lean forward or display some degree of proximity to the object of their curiosity. These are some signs to look for when you’re trying to grab their attention. However, if your toddler is having trouble concentrating, there are some tips you can resort to, like limiting distractions. Look out for other signs of attention deficit. They may need professional help if they start displaying other symptoms like impulsivity and hyperactivity. If this is the case, have them checked for ADHD. Boredom and Exhaustion Conversely, some children display signs of boredom and exhaustion just as implicitly through their body language. Eye-rolling, eye-roving, gazing into space, having a blank expression are all signs that your toddler is bored or tired. Other signs include resting their head on their hands, leaning on things, and refusal to join activities. This may indicate that their environment is not stimulating enough. However, ask your toddler what’s wrong. Sometimes all they need is a nap. Contemplation and Concentration There may be a lot of things doing on inside a child’s mind than you realise. This can often reflect in their body language. Some subtle hints that may indicate that they are deep in thought is looking up, usually with a faraway expression. This likely means that they’re thinking about something, problem-solving, visualising, etc. If they are face-scanning, it means they are trying to read your emotions. If they stick their tongue out while not looking at anything in particular, it means they are thinking. Pay Attention to the Signs Learning to read your toddler’s body language can be really helpful. Sometimes your young one hasn’t developed a large enough vocabulary yet to express themselves through words. But they can still communicate with you through their facial expressions and gestures. However, we must not underestimate a parent’s instincts. The examples provided are just stepping stones, but you’ll soon grow out of your training wheels. In time, you’ll learn to intuit your toddler’s reactions and what they mean. All it takes is some practice, patience, and understanding. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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