Tuning into Toddlers Online: how to keep heart connection at the same time as you teach your toddler how to be a good human

I recommend Tuning into Toddlers as the best course available if you want strategies for interacting with and shaping your toddler's developing social brain and behaviours, in ways that are profoundly heart-connected and shown in the research to be effective.

What is Tuning into Toddlers Online?

Tuning into Toddlers Online (TOTOL) is a self-paced online Tuning into Toddlers parenting program. You can join TOTOL here.

Who is TOTOL for?

TOTOL is suitable for parents and carers of toddlers aged 12-36 months old (same as The Possums Toddler Sleep Program). TOTOL is also suitable for allied health professionals to use as a teaching tool.

What does TOTOL cost?

AUD $99

How much time does it take to work through TOTOL?

7 hours self-paced

What's in the course?

This course will help you to

• Learn about emotional intelligence and competence, and why it matters

• Learn about toddler development

• Improve awareness of your toddler’s emotions. Notice them before they become harder to manage

• Use toddler’s emotional expressions as an opportunity to connect and teach

• Broaden your language for describing and responding to your toddler’s emotions

• Incorporate simple calming strategies into daily life

• Practice problem-solving strategies and limit setting with your toddler

• How to connect more closely with your toddler to reduce challenging behaviours.

How is the course delivered?

Learn at your own pace and return to watch content as needed across a twelve-month period. You’ll get twelve 3-15 minute videos and animations (with captions) that teach you how to help your toddler manage and process their emotions.

Is there a Certificate of Completion?

Yes

What additional resources are available?

Put what you learn into practice with printable resources featuring tips on how to recognize and accept your child’s emotions, as well as your own

You can find Tuning into Toddlers Online here. It has been developed and evaluated by Professor Sophie Havighurst and her team at Mindful, The University of Melbourne, also creators of the internationally renowned program for parents, Tuning into Kids.

Selected references

Gottman JM, Katz IF, Hooven C. Parental meta-emotion philosophy and the emotional life of families: theoretical models and preliminary data. Journal of Family Psychology. 1996;10:243-268.

Havighurst SS, Kehoe CE, Harley AE. Tuning in to Toddlers: Research protocol and recruitment for evaluation of an emotion socialization program for parents of toddlers. Frontiers in Psychology. 2019;10(1054):doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01054.

Havighurst SS, Kehoe CE, Harley AE, Thomas R. A randomized controlled trial of an emotion socialization parenting program and its impact on parenting, children’s behavior and parent and child stress cortisol: Tuning in to Toddlers. Behavior Research and Therapy. 2022;149:104016.

Johnson AM, Hawes DJ, Eisenberg N. Emotion socialization and child conduct problems: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review. 2017;54:65-80.