1-3 yrs · routines
Child Refuses to Brush Teeth – How to End the Bedtime Battle
SReviewed by Sara · Montessori teacher
My child refuses to brush their teeth and it ends in tears every evening — what can I do?
There are different ways to handle this. What's important is that you, as the parent, are firm about the fact that this is something that needs to happen. Then, depending on what your child responds to, you can make toothbrushing into a game or brush your own teeth first to show them how it's done. There are lots of different approaches you can try.
Remember: it's completely okay for your child to have feelings — whether they're angry, sad, or happy — during the whole process.
Remember: change rarely happens overnight — routines need practice, and all feelings are allowed even when a behaviour needs a kind limit. Follow the child, prepare the environment, and let the child do it themselves.