Parenting a Preschooler?
Ever wonder why your child suddenly hits?
Or fights with a sibling when you're hanging by a thread!
After 30 years as an early childhood teacher—working with thousands of under-5s—I can assure you: they’re not trying to make your life difficult, even though 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.
They’re trying to get you to understand things they don’t yet have the words or the emotional tools to explain.
How to Parent With Less Friction
When you shift from reacting to your child’s behavior to asking yourself, “What are they really trying to tell me?”—everything begins to change.
You’ll start to understand your child on a deeper level, you'll start to respond with calm confidence, and you'll know what gentle, practical solutions will work.
And the best part? Your child will feel seen, safe, and understood—and their cooperation will naturally follow.
More calm. More clarity. More connection. It’s the kind of win-win every parent—and preschooler—deserves.
I’m Maria Vernon—a qualified early childhood teacher and a mother of four. In my new book, I reveal the reasons behind 62 preschooler behaviours (and there IS always a reason), and I share the positive, nurturing, and respectful strategies that have worked for me—and still do with my grandchildren.
Here's why these strategies simply had to become the core of my approach...
More About My Book
Inside There Is Always a Reason you'll discover how to:
Decode the “why” behind behaviors like anger, defiance, swearing, body curiosity (or their endless “Why?” questions) so you can respond with insight— not frustration.
Use gentle, proven strategies to handle everyday struggles like fussy eating, bedtime battles, boredom, and emotional daycare drop-offs with more calm and confidence.
Stay connected through tough moments like sibling rivalry and tantrums, using understanding, not control.
Transform daily routines like chores, self-feeding, brushing teeth, and potty "learning" into opportuniteis for bonding, and growth.
This isn’t a theoretical, parenting "textbook"—it’s a practical go-to guide for all those baffling moments that leave you asking yourself, “What just happened?” or “Is this normal?” With 62 chapters arranged alphabetically in a concise, jargon-free format, you can dip in and out whenever you need practical answers—from someone who's been there (many times!).
Who Is The Book For?
Parents, caregivers, and educators of toddlers and preschoolers (ages 1–5) who want less frustration and more connection in their daily interactions.
"When you start looking for the “why,” everything shifts. You become empowered. You’re no longer just reacting to the moment—you’re responding with calm and clarity. I believe that understanding the “why” connects you with your child and helps you guide them with empathy and confidence." — Maria Vernon
Take a Look Inside
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| Table of Contents | Anger | |
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| Empathy (Apologies) | Milestones | Shyness |
My Free Checklist
To help you decode the clues your child is giving you, I’ve created this simple, one-page checklist. Think of it as your go-to guide to help you pause, take a breath, and quickly consider the 'why' behind your child's actions. It reminds you to check all the key triggers—from basic physical needs like hunger and tiredness, to deeper environmental, relational, developmental and emotional needs.
Download it, print it and stick it on your fridge. Use it as a powerful reminder to move from reacting to their behavior, to responding to their real needs.
For a copy of this checklist, pop your email in below and I'll send it to you. By submitting your email, you’ll receive the download immediately.