Navigating the behaviors and developmental stages of toddlers can be challenging and overwhelming at times. However, with the right tools and plans in place, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are the best behavior books for toddlers and how to use them.

Firstly, take a deep breath, mama. Your child’s challenging behavior is not a reflection on you as a parent. It’s called a developmental milestone for a reason! Your role isn’t to control your toddler’s every move; rather, it’s to understand how to handle and teach them when those tricky behaviors arise. It took me some time to realize this, so I want to remind you to give yourself some grace as you navigate these milestones with your little one for the first time. Nobody is perfect, and remember, you and your child are growing together. It’s all part of the beautiful journey!

Hands Are Not For Hitting.

I remember when my 2-year-old entered his hitting phase. It happened one sunny day at the park while we were having a great time. Out of nowhere, he walked up to a little boy playing near the structure and began hitting him. I was utterly shocked. The little boy didn’t provoke him in any way; he didn’t even say hello. Yet, here was my son, initiating aggression.

Sadly, that incident marked the beginning of a pattern. Following that, he would randomly slap children of all ages during park outings or other activities. I felt lost and, to be honest, I wanted to avoid playdates and outings altogether. It wasn’t until I reached out to a friend for prayer and wisdom that I have learned about behavior books!

My dear friend, whom I had reached out to for advice, shared that her own child had experienced a similar phase and engaged in similar behaviors. What a relief it was for me, as a mama, to realize I wasn’t alone! She then introduced me to a behavior book called “Hands Are Not for Hitting” and shared some effective strategies she had implemented.

She explained that she would read the book to her toddler regularly, and whenever they hit another friend, she would remind them of what the book said about hands not being for hitting. She made it a habit to carry the book with her, so if her toddler continued hitting despite reminders, she would promptly remove them from the environment and read the book to them again. This consistent approach helped reinforce the message and encouraged better behavior over time. I tried this exact approach and you know what?! In time, with consistent effort, it worked! I was so thankful!

Other Great Best Behavior Books.

Discovering the effectiveness of this book was like finding a pearl, and I became hooked, eager to order more like it! With titles like “Screen Time is Not Forever” and “Waiting is Not Forever,” tailored to different milestones, I continued the same approach as before. Through consistent reading and reinforcement, I witnessed fewer meltdowns and smoother transitions over time. What’s more, my 2-year-old took a liking to them as well. He would eagerly grab them from the book basket and even requested to read them, long after he had outgrown the specific phases.

Among this series, his favorites was “Diapers Are Not Forever”. Although I am so proud of my sons accomplishment of being potty trained, there’s just something about toddlers and their fascination with the concept of potty training that never fails to amuse them! Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow, even if it means discussing going potty all day long!

Best Behavior Books for Other Phases or Milestones.

Over time, these books became seamlessly integrated into our home, almost like second nature. New milestone? No problem, lets see if they make a book about this! If i did not find the exact book I was looking for from the same publisher as before, I looked for other books with titles that matched the milestone. When my son was going to be a big brother, I bought a book called, “I Am a Big Brother.”

The best part of these behavior books is their relevance extending far beyond the specific phase or behavior they address. Now that my 18-month-old daughter is starting her hitting phase, I can rely on “Hands are Not for Hitting” once again. What’s even more rewarding is seeing my son sharing the same lessons from the books with his little sister. If that’s not a win, I’m not sure what is! It’s heartwarming to witness their learning and growth together.

Final Thoughts.

There’s a wealth of behavior books out there, and while I highly recommend the ones mentioned, you’re not limited to just those. Remember that best behavior books for toddlers can be incredibly helpful and even enjoyable for your little one, but it’s up to you to implement them and follow through consistently.

It is important to also remember that every child is different. Some may never go through some phases while others will take longer to get through some. Some children might repeat phases even after you thought they have moved past them. Grace, patience, and consistency is key!

I hope these recommended best behavior books and how to use them have been helpful in navigating those sometimes challenging toddler milestones. Please leave a comment if you thought this was helpful or what book you are excited to order for your toddler! Make sure to subscribe for other weekly reads on The Blooming Mama Blog.

Hugs, Mama! You are doing a great job!

Cassie

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Check out the list of best behavior books that I have used and loved:

1. Hands Are Not For Hitting.
2. Screen Time is Not Forever
3. Waiting is Not Forever
4. Diapers are Not Forever
5. I am a big brother.
6. With Jesus I am Calm. and other Christian children’s books with purpose.
7. More Behavior Books
8. Behavior Books