Opening Thoughts
(1) “Unusually” because preschoolers are high need by nature (and we wouldn’t want it any other way!)
(2) Preschool indicates ages three to five (or even six in some cases)*
(3) Behavior Absolutes—set in place first and foremost for ALL of the time (don’t just work on during the day)
*I have tons of toddler information (see links list) and even some kindergarten/pre-reading things (also see links!). Don’t disregard the toddler info as being too immature or the kindergarten material as being only for the future.
Listen to the podcast here, and click here to see links of my favorite tools to use with preschoolers, as well as ‘Age Appropriate Chore Charts’!
Start the Day Out Right
(1) Teach getting up after child asks only. Other options: (a) Call for someone to start an audio story. (b) Call for Mom to come give books/toys and set timer. (c) Clock on wall that shows when child can get up. (See links here.)
a. Something about kids running wild—gets them started on wrong foot
b. Not good for Mom either! 🙂
(2) Littles need Mom first thing (do not assign to olders when they first get up)
(3) Never too young to start in morning chore sessions (see podcast and blog post links as well as Age-Appropriate Chores charts)
(4) Consistency in sleep and eating and schedule blocks is key at these ags—predictability in schedule helps littles more than we think it does (but you will see results!)
(5) Start audios early—age two or so. If not, will become so tech-dependent that he will not enjoy them, will not make “pictures in his head” as well, etc.
More Structure=More Peace
(1) Days are long to littles—breaks in action, differing activities, etc., help this age a lot
(2) Think in terms of blocks of time of day (not necessarily rigid time schedules)—and even call them names
a. Morning routine
b. Morning reading
c. Content reading
d. Bible time
e. Morning chore session
f. Play time
g. Room time
h. Listen time
i. Lunch chore time
j. Lunch time
k. Story time
l. Free time
(3) When not “free” all the time, children play better, are more creative, do not waste time as much, plan their schedule/time, etc.
(4) Stage some things for them
(5) Not full access to electronics (they don’t know what is best for them; sometimes they do not even know what it is that they want)
(6) Involve child in olders’ day as much as possible
(7) Use alone time to teach focusing skills
Blog Posts and Podcasts
1) Podcast Episode: What to Do With a Kindergartener
2) Podcast Episode: Five Homeschooling Problems and Solutions
3) Podcast Episode: How to Prepare a Child to Learn to Read
4) Blog Post: Expectations for a Five Year Old
5) Podcast Episode: Toddler Trouble
6) Podcast Episode: Story Time With Littles and Very Young Preschoolers
7) Podcast Episode: When to Give Your Child a Mulligan
8) Blog Post: What To Do With A Wonderful One Year Old
9) Blog Post: Q Is for Quit Fighting (Behavior Absolutes in Your Family)
10) Blog Post: Morning Routines for Littles
11) Blog Post: Character Training for Toddlers and Preschoolers—Boundaries, Simple Tastes, and More
12) Podcast Episode: Children and Chores
13) Podcast Episode: How to Get Children On Board With Family Work
14) Blog Post: Room, Groom, Dress, and Mess
15) Blog Post: Suggested Room Time Activities
16) Podcast Episode: Raising Kids With Character Terms and Concepts
17) Blog Post: 4 D’s of Behavior
Listen to the podcast here!
