A Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Your Toddler to Perform on Cue
Peek-a-boo on demand? Yes, please.
Toddlers aren’t circus animals, of course. If you train a toddler properly, they’ll perform so much better than circus animals.
Highly trained toddlers will perform on demand, which is key when visiting with grandparents and generally trying to show off their awesomeness to the world.
But you need to know how to do it. It’s not difficult, but it is specific.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting toddlers to perform on cue:
-
Smiles Everybody, Smiles
Getting a toddler to smile and perform tricks at the moment you want them to can be tricky.
They almost always have other plans. -
I See You!
After all, peek-a-boo is a game you have to be in the mood for.
-
MmmmmmmWAH
Blowing kisses must be done with feeling.
-
Sooooo Big!
Getting them to show you how big they are? It almost never happens when you ask.
-
Sooooo Gentle
Demonstrating a calm and gentle demeanor? Good luck getting them to do it on cue.
-
If You're Happy and You Know It . . .
Be a generally happy, smiley baby? It can happen. On command. It's easy. Here's what you need to do:
-
The Secret Weapon
Bake a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
-
Ready, Aim, Eat
Let them eat a cookie.
-
And That's How It's Done
Sit back and watch the giddiness ensue.
On command.
Photo credits: Meredith Carroll
More from Meredith on Toddler Times:
Read (even) more from Meredith at Babble’s Strollerderby, follow her on Twitter, and check out her weekly syndicated newspaper column at MeredithCarroll.com
Newsletter