How To Do Preschool At Home

Five teachers using a combined 90 decades of experience share tips for parents of 2- to 5-year-olds. Getting the Best Out of Your Kid I fear that my 3-year-old, Sophie, has a split personality, best daycares in toronto‌. At college she cleans up her toys, puts on her sneakers, and is completely self-sufficient at potty time. At home, she yells whenever I ask her to pick up anything, insists that I join her in the bathroom whenever she must go, and recently has begun requiring that I spoon-feed her dinner. Certainly, her teacher knows something I don't. But then, what parent hasn't sometimes wondered: Why is my kid better for everybody else than for me personally? The easy answer: Your kid tests her limits with you because she trusts you will love her no matter what. But that doesn't mean you can't invest a few strategies from the preschool instructors ' playbook to get the best from your child. We asked teachers from all over the country for their hints so listen up -- and take notes! .

No ifs. Make requests in language which presumes cooperation

Should you finish putting away your crayons, we could go to the park, suggests that maybe your child won't clean up his or her toenails. Try instead: If you put your crayons off, we'll visit the park.

Involve her in righting her wrongs

If you discover her coloring on the walls, then have her help wash it off. If she knocks over a playmate's block tower, ask her to help reconstruct it.

Resist doing for her what she can do herself.

When it may be faster and simpler to do it yourself, it won't help to make your child more self indulgent. Quick hint: Appeal to her sense of pride, suggests Donna Jones, a preschool teacher at Southern Oregon University's Schneider Children's Center at Ashland, Oregon. Whenever I'm attempting to get children to dress, put coats on, sit on seats during foods and so on, I'll inquire : 'Do you need me to assist you or do you do it yourself? ' These words are like magic, promises Jones. The children always need to do it for themselves.

Assign a chore.

Putting your preschooler in control of a routine, simple task will build her confidence and sense of competency, says Buss. A child who's entrusted to water the plants or empty the clothes dryer is very likely to believe she could also get dressed herself or pour her own cereal. Just be certain the chore you delegate is manageable and it's real work, not busywork, because even preschoolers know the difference. The target is to make your kid feel as a competent, contributing member of the family.

Don't reevaluate what they've done.

If your child makes her bed, resist the urge to smooth the blankets. If she sees herself in stripes and polka dots, compliment her eclectic style. Unless absolutely necessary, don't mend what your child accomplishes, states Kathy Buss, director of the Weekday Nursery School, at Morrisville, Pennsylvania. She will notice and it may discourage her

Winning Cooperation

Walk into almost any preschool course in the nation, and you'll see children sitting quietly in circles, forming orderly lines, increasing their hands to talk, passing out napkins and snacks. The question is: How do teachers take action? How do they make a dozen or more kids under 4 to cooperate, voluntarily and happily? While there's no secret formula, most say: Praise is crucial, especially if your kid is not in a cooperative period. Try to catch her being good. Kids repeat behaviours that capture attention.