Destructive toddler

I think this is normal. Mine is destructive, too. I basically don't leave anything out that I wouldn't want ruined or that I care about. If she starts throwing things inside after I've asked her to stop I take them from her. I try to channel what she wants into proper play. If it's throwing things, we go outside and throw balls outside.

A lot of time, ive noticed her destructiveness is just curiosity. I try to have an activity planned for her every morning that wears her completely out so she chills. Lol. This morning we went to a big park with a train, a boardwalk, ice cream, jungle gym and basically go until she is about to fall asleep 🤣🤣🤣

I also have baby gates everywhere!!!! So I corral her in whatever area I am in so I can keep a close eye on her.

Tell him no. Give him examples of how he can use the toys, how he can help feed the dog, where he can color, etc. Kids knowledge of norms is very limited. They one know what we teach them. When he’s doing something he shouldn’t be doing, take it from him, say no thank you, then show him what he can do. If he continues, redirect him again, after that just take whatever it is away and explain you can’t give it to him because he’s not using it properly.

Another layer to it could be sensory seeking behavior. There are good resources online for different kinds of sensory activities that help kids feel more regulated and that in turn can help them channel those urges, energy, and curiosity into more acceptable outlets and then calm down.

But also, as someone else said, they don't know what's acceptable or not, and it takes years for the impulse control part of the brain to develop - so we have to teach them (often over and over) through modeling, redirection, and physical inaccessibility to the dangerous/breakable items.

There are some great accounts in IG with advice about toddlers' "big little feelings", firm, loving approaches to teaching about boundaries via "conscious parenting", and sensory diets for kids.

Another technique for handling stuff like this is to involve your child in the clean up process for whatever mess they make! They often love to participate and help once they understand what's going on, and they can see their actions' effects.