Preschoolers are cute, lovable but mischief loving and tough to handle. Managing them can get as hard as managing a herd of bulls. Like any bull trainer will tell you, that no matter how rough the bull is there is always a way. Young ones are different and rough in their own ways. Kids in the age group of 3-4, venturing out of their comfy homes into the world of rules and regulations can be quite confused and frustrated. We have put together 7 tips to help you deal with your preschooler.
1. Mean what you say
Parents are often shocked and hurt by the fact that how much preschoolers obey their teachers but not them. Setting aside the fact that teachers are far more experienced and skilled at their job. It is important for parents to understand that kids know when you mean it or not. For example, if you really wish them to finish their game in the park and return home with you, then make sure that you won’t tolerate any delays. Allow yourself to be specific and precise in what you want your kids to do. Set some kind of routine where you give them five minutes time to wind up things and most of all – stand by what you say. Kids are very good at reading body language and non verbal cues, so if you are sure of something rest assured they will know it. The idea is not to turn out as an authoritarian parent but to inculcate discipline in your kids.
2. Push step by step
Are you still worried about your young one handling sharp objects like pen and scissors? The solution is to be a little less worried and be a little more allowing. Allowing your young one to begin with pencil and children safe scissor is a good idea but not the end of game, the whole point is to push them bit by bit. Let them cut clay and paper strips with safe scissors, this way they will not only learn the rhythm but would also develop necessary strength in their hand muscles. In writing front, use more stencils, this way kids learn to mix drawing and writing and their hand strokes get better.
3. A lullaby is not enough
Every parent of a preschooler knows that no matter how many fairy stories or lullaby they put in, at timed their kid just refuses to sleep. First of all it is important to understand that kids will only follow a routine if they know there is one. Begin the unwinding process half an hour before they go to sleep. Put some light music on or have story sessions, but make sure nothing is too exciting too blow the sleep fairies away.
4. Find different ways of doing old stuff
No matter how much method one applies while dealing with young ones, you must realize that nothing appeals to them more than madness. Behaving like a parent on robot mode or shouting, doesn’t always works. So be inventive when you want them to listen to you. If you want them to do their homework, then why not say it like a song. All of us know how fondly they react to TV jingles, why not create some jingles of your own with some hidden messages for them to solve.
5. Make learning innovative and fun
At some point of time you must have dressed your young one as a pirate or a doctor or a superhero or any other costume they asked for. But what most parents often fail to do is to allow them to dress for themselves. There is no doubt about the fact that kids love to dress themselves, your job is to make this process much more linear and happier. Create a human figure out of their clothes so they can picture which clothing goes with which part. Another related thing is the confusion kids have regarding right and left, to make it easier tell them if they are wearing their shoes right, two toes will be kissing each other, if they are not that means toes are angry at each other. come up with your own games and fun stories.
6. Don’t lose patience
If you don’t have the patience to answer their questions, no matter how exhausted, then the chances are high that they will backfire. Don’t push them away by saying you are not an expert or a scientist, rather fuel their curiosity by coming up with interesting answers to why sun is hot? Where babies come from? A question can easily turn into an amazing discussion or a heated argument; it is up to you which course you want to take.
7. The language of fun
Home should not be the dreaded castle of homework and assignments. Nobody is asking you to put academics in a backburner, but who says it can’t be done in a more playful manner. Use board games, videos and museum trips to teach them things rather than confining them to school books. No matter how evolved the world becomes, school is still a hard place for most people, make sure their home is a heaven to return to.
