🪥Lots of children hate toothbrushing because it is something happening to them. That feels scary and unpredictable. When they fight, they are trying to protect themselves. 🪥 We can help toddlers feel safe and in control during something that has the potential to be so invasive. 🪥 I like to start by handing over the toothbrush and letting a child explore independently. It will not be as efficient as if they were to let you do it start to finish, but this is just the first step in the process-it is a means to an end. 🪥Then, if available, I’d like to bring more than one toothbrush to the party! Let your child hold one in each hand and then you have your own. Do this in front of a mirror so your child can see exactly what it looks like when they move it around in different ways and let them have a turn brushing your teeth, so they weren’t even more by watching. 🪥Last, use either counting or lines in a song to give them an idea of when it will start and when it will end. Young children will not understand a lengthy explanation of why we have to brush our teeth and how our teeth will get cavities, etc. etc… They will understand the start and end to a predictable song or sequence of words. 🪥You will be surprised at how much more your child enjoys toothbrushing if you give them some autonomy and control over the process! 🪥These tips are based on my mentor Marsha Dunn Klein’s Toothbrushing 1-2-3 approach. #toothbrushing #brushyourteeth #babyteeth #oralcare #newmom #toddlermom #toddlerparenting #toothbrushing123 #gentleparenting #autonomy #responsivefeeding #toddlerdad #toddlersofinstagram #toddlerbattles #toothbrush #toothpaste