The tantrums, biting and defiant behaviour often associated with this age group can be managed when you understand the reasons behind it, says Penny Tassoni.

Two-year-olds have a bad press. Their erratic behaviour along with tantrums and the odd bite is probably at the heart of the term 'terrible twos'. A rebranding of this age group is definitely needed, as developmentally they are actually at a very special stage. But behind every saying there is usually a grain of truth. So, what is it about this age group that causes their unpredictable behaviour and more importantly what can adults do to keep things running smoothly?

The starting point when looking at some of two-year-olds' behaviour is to understand that they are naturally impulsive. This is because their brain development is far from complete, and the area of the brain that is involved in planning and logical thought is still in development. This means that two-year-olds are more likely to 'see and do' than to weigh up the possible consequences of their actions.

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