Toddler Tips: How You Can Help Your Tot Transition to Their Own Room

Your toddler is at the stage where he or she is ready for their own room. When it's time for the transition, you should carefully scaffold moves that will help them adjust. Here are some tips that will ensure a smooth transition when your toddler moves to a room of their own.

The Setup

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Include your tot in the setup of their new room. Take them into the empty room and talk about their favorite colors, animals and whatever else they may be able to have an input on. You can create a concept for the space based on their interests.

Choose a day and a time when you can take your toddler shopping with you. This seems like it may be a difficult task, but if you plan carefully between meals and naptimes, an hour-long excursion should be doable.

Let your tot explore the stores and find their favorite items. Depending on their cognitive and language abilities, they may be able to pick out their favorite utilitarian items, like their bed, a chair or toy baskets. Your toddler will be able to spot their favorite decorative items and toys, which you should incorporate into the room so the space is infused with their personality and items they enjoy.

Getting Familiar

After you've designed and decorated the room, gradually familiarize your toddler with the space. Begin by playing in their room for the majority of the day, so they can get comfortable with the layout.

Move naptime into their new room so they can experience shorter periods of sleep within this new space. Make naptime successful through the integration of soothing sounds and your tots favorite songs. You can keep a small radio or music player within the room so they don't feel alone and will be at ease. Make sure you choose music that is calm, so their sleep won't be interrupted.

Reward System

If your child resists the transition into their new room, try positive reinforcement. The most accessible form of reinforcement is verbal; you can praise your child when they wake up from their nap in their new room.

If your child constantly struggles to stay in their bed, you can create a system where they can accumulate points that result in a larger reward. The goal-based reward shouldn't take more than a week of positive performance, as a toddler isn't developmentally able to understand the abstract idea of long-term performance and eventual reward.

Monitor

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For your peace of mind, and for your child, integrate your home security camera system in their new room so you can keep an eye on your sleeping tot. Good home security cameras feature high-quality images and wireless accessibility, which provide you with the best means for monitoring your little one.

Let your child know they are extra safe in their new room since you have the cameras it will comfort them knowing you have an eye on them. Also find a physical gesture they can use in front of the camera, which indicates you are needed. This will help them stay in their room, but still, have accessibility when they want attention from mom or dad.

4/12/18 We are repainting my son's room. It's amazing how scuffed up he makes the walls. Now if only we could do something about his awful carpet.