Advice for my 16 month old dcb little stinker

[midaycare]

Dcb is sweet but going through that testing phase. He loves to get up on things, like the kids' tables, and stand. He even stands on the train tables. When I tell him "No", he looks at me and continues. It's like a state off. The moment I take a step toward him, he is off the table.

Also, how would you deal with dcb suddenly start to snatch toys from others? It's a new behavior this week, and not a welcome one...

[melilley]

When my kids take toys from each other, I help them give the toy back to the person that they took it from and I tell the toy taker that they may have a turn with the toy after so and so is done with it. Or I say " ___is playing with the toy right now. When he is done, you may play with it. Let's find another toy to play with."

It seems to work most of the time and after they give it back and I redirect them to a different toy, the toy taker forgets all about the toy that they have taken. Other times, it takes a few times before they get it and stop going after the toy.

[Cat Herder]

First, this is what I'd do only. Not everyone can. I am just set up this way and prefer it.


1. Dcb loves to get up on things, like the kids' tables, and stand.

I'd grab some plastic milk crates and flip them bottom up throughout the room for him to get up on. I would use the stepping stones (or placemats) in between them to make an "up high and down low" river through the middle of the room. If it wears him out, so be it.... ::::::



2. dcb suddenly start to snatch toys from others?

Give him some personal space to take his toys to. There he can play with his few chosen toys until he is tired of them. He can then return them to the group area and exchange the next few from the bins, only.... Rinse/repeat.

[midaycare]

First, this is what I'd do only. Not everyone can. I am just set up this way and prefer it.


1. Dcb loves to get up on things, like the kids' tables, and stand.

I'd grab some plastic milk crates and flip them bottom up throughout the room for him to get up on. I would use the stepping stones (or placemats) in between them to make an "up high and down low" river through the middle of the room. If it wears him out, so be it.... ::::::



2. dcb suddenly start to snatch toys from others?

Give him some personal space to take his toys to. There he can play with his few chosen toys until he is tired of them. He can then return them to the group area and exchange the next few from the bins, only.... Rinse/repeat.

I wish it were so easy with the getting up on things. I really believe it is him testing me. When I set up obstacle courses, he has fun, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to get up on the table and then have a state down with me when I tell him to get off.

The toy snatching thing ... I dunno. It will probably self correct because I'm on top of it - it's the testing of me I really can't stand right now. The "make me" attitude coming from this normally sweet dcb.