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how do I teach a 1 year old only child not to be needy

how not to be jealous when I'm around other kids and always wanting alot of attention

Question applies to ages: 1

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avatarBridgette
# of Thumbs Up Received (41)
Top 5 in: Discipline, Families and Relationships, Growth and Development, Learning Styles, Manners and Values, Parenting Support, Parents and SchoolsTop 5 in 7 Topics
One of the best ways that I've found to teach a very young child not to be needy is to make sure that the child feels his or her needs are being met. By teaching them security, they become more secure.

I remember being told once that if you give a baby too much attention, you'll spoil the baby and have to continue giving them attention. What I found through experience was exactly the opposite: When you gave a baby a lot of attention, his need for it lessened. By responding quickly to cries, you teach a baby that she is safe.

It is time-consuming at first, but it pays off incredibly by creating a secure child who rarely cries wolf. A 12-month-old is still pretty helpless and their ability to be self-sufficient at that age is pretty limited.

What are the ages of the other children? Can they help you by giving the baby attention? Depending on their ages, they may appreciate the responsibility of being able to do things like give the baby a rattle or play peek-a-boo with him.

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avatarRebecca
# of Thumbs Up Received (14)
Top 5 in: Discipline, Transitions and Readiness, Motivating StudentsTop 5 in 3 Topics
Kizzy: We at EduGuide are working on an issue of Start magazine on this very subject—teaching children under the age of 5 how to be independent problem-solvers. Would you be interested in talking to me over the phone about this issue? It could lead to getting expert advice and being featured in the magazine. If you're interested, please email me by this Friday, May 1: rakwordplay@att.net. Thanks!

References:
EduGuide contributing editor and mother of two
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