Or bites? Or refuses to sleep? Or throws a tantrum? Or won’t share?
Or fights with a sibling while you're just hanging by a thread!?
After 30 years as an early childhood teacher—working with thousands of under-5s—I can assure you: Your child is not trying to make your life difficult even thought it may feel like it at the time. They’re actually sending you messages—clues from their inner world.
And they’re doing it the only way they know how.
Your preschooler is trying to get you to understand things they don’t yet have the words or the emotional tools to explain.
...without threats, bribes or endless negotiations!
Here are 19 simple, everyday practices that I use to keep challenging preschooler behaviors from happening in the first place—how I turn everyday challenges with preschoolers into opportunities for calm and connection. The ones I've "battle-tested" with 1000s of children over 30 years.
If you're getting stuck in power struggles, this book will help you to “move the goal posts.”
Parenting preschoolers is rewarding, exhausting, confusing, and sometimes isolating—often all in the same day! You read the books, you try the strategies, but some days you still wonder: “Am I doing this right?” or “Is anyone else going through this?”
You're not alone.
And soon, you won't have to figure it out alone either.
I have over 30 years experience as an early childhood teacher. I've worked alongside thousands of children during their early years. I've had four children of my own, and now I'm a grandmother with preschool-aged grandchildren.
So, if I haven't seen it all, I've sure seen most of it!
Early childhood teachers face a unique challenge. They've got to manage a wide range of children in their care— fairly, consistently, and effectively (or there'll be chaos!). At the same time, they must do it without conflicting with any of their parents’ parenting styles, and they can't use many of the strategies those parents may rely on at home (e.g., yelling or withholding treats). There's no “punishment” in an early childhood centre, and teachers must follow the rules and regulations of their center and regulatory authority.
All these constraints force early childhood teachers to find gentle strategies that work—and I've done that for over 30 years! :)
