Bright Beginnings Childcare

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Your Preschooler


How To Connect With Your Preschooler

  • Really tune in to what your child is trying to say. Notice the emotions behind it.
  • Make regular time to communicate in your own special way. Even two minutes every half hour makes a difference.
  • Be available. When they come to you, try to drop everything to talk – it is likely they only really need your undivided attention for a minute or two.
  • Get down to his/her level. Kneeling or squatting down is a very powerful tool for communicating positively with preschoolers. By looking him/her in the eye, you can avoid a lot of conflict. It allows you to tune in to what he/she might be feeling or thinking, and in turn your child is less likely to feel exasperated.
  • Active listening helps preschoolers cope with their young emotions. They tend to get frustrated a lot, especially if they can’t express themselves well enough verbally. When you repeat back to them what you think they are feeling, it helps to relieve some of their tension and makes them feel respected and comforted. It can diffuse many potential temper tantrums.
  • Be patient. Try to let him/her finish their sentences before interrupting, no matter how meandering they might be.
  • Read to your preschooler and tell stories. Picture books help children learn about language.
  • Always be honest. Children are brighter than many of us think. When we lie to them, we lose their trust.
(ABC Parenting)