Positive Parenting Tips
As children grow into early childhood, their world will begin to open up. They will become more independent and begin to focus more on adults and children outside of the family. They will want to explore and ask about the things around them even more. Their interactions with family and those around them will help to shape their personality and their own ways of thinking and moving. During preschool stage, children should be able to ride a tricycle, use safety scissors, notice a difference between girls and boys, help to dress and undress themselves, play with other children, recall part of a story, and sing a song.Following are some of the things you, as a parent, can do to help your pre-schooler during this time of development:
- Continue to read to your child. Nurture his love for books by taking him to the library or bookstore.
- Show affection for your child. Recognise his accomplishments.
- Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps him to learn the value of sharing and friendship.
- Be clear and consistent when disciplining your child. Explain and show the behaviour that you expect from him. Whenever you tell him “no”, follow up with what he should be doing instead.
- Help your child develop good language skills by speaking to him in complete sentences and using "grown up" words. Help him to use the correct words and phrases.
- Help your child through the steps to solve problems when he is upset.
- Give your child a limited number of simple choices (for example, deciding what to wear, when to play, and what to eat for snack).
- Help your child develop a sense of responsibility—ask him to help with household tasks, such as setting the table.
- Talk with your child about school, friends, and things he looks forward to in the future.
- Talk with your child about respecting others. Encourage him to help people in need.
- Help your child set his own achievable goals—he’ll learn to take pride in himself and rely less on approval or reward from others.
Child Safety First
As your child becomes more independent and spends more time in the outside world, it is important that you and your child are aware of ways to stay safe.
Here are a few tips to protect your child:
- Tell your child why it is important to stay out of traffic. Tell him not to play in the street or run after stray balls.
- Be cautious when letting your child ride his tricycle. Keep him on the sidewalk and away from the street and always have her wear a helmet.
- Check outdoor playground equipment. Make sure there are no loose parts or sharp edges. Watch your child at all times, especially when he is playing outside.
- Be safe in the water. Teach your child to swim, but watch him at all times when he is in or around any body of water (this includes kiddie pools).
- Talk with your child about how to ask for help when he needs it.
- Keep potentially harmful household products, tools, equipment, and firearms out of your child’s reach.
- Teach your child how to be safe around strangers.
Healthy Bodies
- Eat meals with your child whenever possible. Let your child see you enjoying fruits, vegetables, and whole grains at meals and snacks. Your child should eat and drink only a limited amount of food and beverages that contain added sugars, solid fats, or salt.
- Limit screen time for your child to no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of quality programming, at home, school, or child care.
- Provide your child with age-appropriate play equipment, like balls and plastic bats, but let your pre-schooler choose what to play. This makes moving and being active fun for your pre-schooler.
- Practice healthy eating habits and physical activity early. Encourage active play, and be a role model by eating healthy at family mealtimes and having an active lifestyle.
