Top parenting tips to manage preschoolers at home
There's never a dull moment with a young child around 3 to 5, except maybe when they're asleep. From constantly answering questions, like where is the sun at night? Why do things fall to the ground? And how do cars work, and hosting their tea parties–parenting a preschooler is almost always fun.
Raising preschoolers does come with particular challenges. Children aged 3-5 are still learning to communicate, regulate their emotions, and control their frustrations1. And this may lead to them stepping over rules and boundaries you've set for them.
Here are a few tips to help you get through this challenging and curious phase of your child's life.
Parenting tips to manage your preschooler at home!
Encourage independence
Fostering independence from a young age is vital for every child. Let your child make simple choices like what to wear and how to style their hair; let them go all out with their stripes and polka dots all at once because it reflects their personality.
Encouraging independence in children will let them decide what they want and how they want it. It can even shape their personality and character as they grow.
Boost self-esteem
Appreciating their attempts is a great way to boost your child's self-esteem. Even when they fail at something, acknowledge and appreciate the effort and energy put in, offer encouragement, and tell them that you believe in them.
Kids tend to repeat actions that get positive feedback from you. Positive reinforcement of kind acts goes a long way in developing a child's behavior.
Structured and free play
Spending time with your child is integral to parenting. It allows you to guide them through their everyday. Teaching through activities is excellent for your kid, but it's also essential that you give importance to free play.
Ask your child to "go play," but don't tell them what and how to play. Let them make their own choices and decisions even if they get bored. Their curious little minds will figure out creative ways to entertain themselves when they're bored.
Chores
Have your children help with chores around the house. Start by assigning simple tasks like placing dishes in the dishwasher, folding laundry, helping measure ingredients, or feeding the pet. It gives them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment when the work is done.
Develop routines
When children follow a pattern regularly, they can quickly learn what they are supposed to do, even without you reminding them. Routines can include specific house rules; for example, everyone must wash their hands after entering the house and brush their teeth before hitting the bed. Soon, these house rules become second nature to your children.
Make time
Even 30 minutes every day to be with your children can have a considerable positive impact on your child. Children who don't get much quality time from their parents are known to act out or misbehave to seek attention.2
Create one night/day of the week as a special night or day to be together with your children, and let them help you decide how to spend that day.
Also, if you're a working parent, don't feel guilty if you cannot give a whole day to your child. Remember, even small actions and gestures, like making pancakes in the morning or watching a movie together, will be what your children will remember.
Be kind to yourself
Lastly, before you guilt yourself about not being able to do a 'good job,' pause for a moment, take a deep breath and accept that nobody is a perfect parent. You have your strengths and weaknesses and acknowledge your limitations.
Raising a child is not easy; it is said that raising one good person takes a whole village. You don't have an entire village, but trusting your instincts, making communication a priority, and providing for your child take precedence.
At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child’s development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.
Reference:
1The importance of emotional competence and self-regulation from birth: a case for the evidence-based emotional cognitive social early learning approach by Donna K. Housman
2Goals of misbehavior – Part 1: Attention - Early Childhood Development
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