217. Inside the Toddler Mind:  What Adults Can Learn from Tots

Inside the Toddler Mind:  What Adults Can Learn from Tots

What if the key to happiness lies in thinking like a toddler? 

Dr. Lia Gaggino’s Pediatric Meltdown podcast features Dr. Hasan Merali, who unveils the wisdom hidden in toddler behavior. Uncover the science behind child development, learning how to handle toddler tantrums and why the “terrible twos” might be a misnomer. Dr. Merali offers unique parenting tips, from encouraging kindness to establishing sleep routines. Explore how childhood creativity can enhance adult life, and gain strategies for improving work-life balance. This episode challenges conventional wisdom about child behavior, offering fresh perspectives on fostering kindness and learning from kids. 

This episode will leave you eager to embrace your inner toddler and find joy in life’s little moments. 

[00:33 -11:26]  Toddler Brain Development and Adult Learning

• The less developed prefrontal cortex allows toddlers to live in the moment
• Toddlers have enhanced visual attention, noticing tiny details adults might miss
• Young children think differently due to fewer preconceived notions
• Toddlers exhibit twice as much laughter as adults

[11:27 – 22:28]  Positive Mindset: Reframing Tantrums and Embracing Toddler Traits  

• The median time for a toddler tantrum is 3 minutes, occurring on average once a day
• Changing vocabulary from “Terrible Twos” to “Terrific Twos” promotes learning from toddlers
• Toddlers have a basic tendency to be nice to others, even when faced with selfish behavior
• Toddlers focus on building relationships and learning

[22:29 -30:14]  Self-Talk Strategies: Enhancing Adult Mental Well-being

• Self talk is prevalent when kids are little, especially in the toddler preschooler age
• They use it to guide themselves through tasks and to encourage themselves
• MRI studies show we can decrease our emotional reactivity if we talk to ourselves in 2nd and 3rd person
• Instead of “what am I feeling right now,” ask “what is [your name] feeling right now?”

[30:15 – 39:18]  Toddler Sleep Routine for Better Adult Sleep

• No screens 1 hour before bedtime
• Take a hot bath or shower to cool down core body temperature
• Perform a quiet activity, preferably reading
• Plug your phone in a different room, not beside your bed

[39:19 – 45:41]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Dr. Hasan Merali

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasan-merali/

X: https://twitter.com/Hasan_Merali

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HasanMeraliMD/

Links to resources mentioned on the show

1. Dr. Merali, website: HasanMerali.com
2. Book:  Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas:  Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier and More Successful  Way of Life:  https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Well-Take-Risks-Squish/dp/0757324711 
3. NYT Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/well/live/tips-happiness-mental-health-well-being.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Gk4.2HXF.-uxuEtMap4D4&smid=url-share
4. BBC Article:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/57h87jSSYd4QTqS8DkwnmBG/be-more-toddler-six-ways-we-can-channel-our-inner-toddler-to-live-a-happier-life
5. Workplace Wellbeing Article: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/5-workplace-well-being-lessons-from-toddlers
6. -Practical advice on sleep in Popular Science
7. -Book I mentioned: Chatter
8. Book Page (with free excerpt): https://hasanmerali.com/book/
9. Link to PM Ken Ginsburg episode on https://pediatricmeltdown.com/103-talking-to-teens-and-parents-a-re-frame-with-dr-ken-ginsburg/ 

Other episodes you may like:

Episodes – Pediatric Meltdown

216. Fostering Curiosity: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Early Brain Development
217. Understanding Challenging Kids: The Behavior Code

169 Parenting the Neurodivergent Child

Key quotes for Twitter:

“So I challenge your listeners again just to next time you have a little bit of time, it doesn’t even have to be a lot of time and you have a little bit of block of time off, think of what you want to do in that time, but think of yourself as a child and actually do that activity.”… Dr. Merali on Rediscovering Playtime

“They address the person first and they try to explain what they need to do in very clear language. Then if that doesn’t work, they’ll go over to that person and kind of just show them what to do.”…Dr. Merali on the power of Clear communication and kids

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