Testing Limits Important for Toddler’s Emotional Intelligence and Confidence Building

“NO BOO! NO HELP! ME DO IT!”( 2 yr. old granddaughter, Claire, calls me “Boo.”) I was pumping up Bozo the Clown bopbag with a hand balloon pump and Claire insisted on helping. I thought she wanted to help me pump it. False assumption. She wanted to do the whole thing herself. I honestly didn’t think her little hands were strong enough. Second false assumption. She was determined. She knew her capacity. I didn’t and she didn’t want me to interfere even though I thought I was helping her. Little ones will always let us know. They really are in the lead, you know!

Allowing children to test their limits (which may also test yours), as long as circumstances are safe, is so important for them to know themselves, what they are capable of, what they aren’t, and what goals arise from trying new things. This has impact on emotional intelligence, self-worth and confidence.