Authentic Parenting Toddlers, Tantrums, And Discipline That Works
Feb 12, 2026
Devon Kuntzman, toddler expert and coach who founded Transforming Toddlerhood, offers trauma-informed, practical toddler guidance. The conversation covers why tantrums happen and how toddlers communicate through behavior. It explores balancing firm limits with connection, the three ingredients of effective discipline, and using play, presence, and simple actions to guide toddlers.
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Regulate Yourself Before Reacting
- Establish physical safety first, then tell yourself it's not an emergency before responding.
- Ground yourself and regulate before addressing the toddler; timing matters more than speed.
Connection Increases Influence
- Connection increases a parent's positive influence because children who feel seen become more regulated.
- Connection isn't constant performance; small micro-moments build trust over time.
Prioritize How The Child Feels
- Connection is judged by how the child feels, not by a parent's checklist of actions.
- Slow down briefly to meet the child emotionally, but avoid prolonging interaction past what's helpful.
