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How do I get my child ready for preschool?

How do I get my child ready for preschool?

Starting preschool is a big step for both parents and children. It can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for both parties. There are a few things you can do to prepare your child for this new experience.

Establish a routine

Establishing a routine can help your child feel more secure and prepared for the transition to preschool. Start waking your child up at the same time every day, and establish a regular meal and nap schedule.

The best way to establish a routine is with Easy Daysies visual schedules for kids!

Introduce socialization

If your child hasn't had much interaction with other children, it's important to introduce socialization before they start preschool. Arrange playdates with other children around the same age, or enroll your child in a parent-child class.

child socialization

Talk about preschool

Talk to your child about preschool and what they can expect. Explain what they will do, who they will meet, and what they will learn. You can also read books about preschool to help your child get a better understanding of what to expect.

Visit the preschool

Take your child to visit the preschool before their first day. This can help them get familiar with the environment and feel more comfortable. If possible, arrange a meeting with the teacher and let your child ask any questions they may have.

preschool visit

Practice self-help skills

Preschool requires children to be more independent. Practice self-help skills such as using the bathroom, washing hands, and putting on shoes and jackets. This will help your child feel more confident and prepared.

Label belongings

Label your child's belongings with their name. This will help them identify their things and prevent them from getting lost or mixed up with other children's belongings.

label belongings

Talk to the teacher

Talk to the teacher about your child's needs, interests, and any concerns you may have. This can help the teacher better understand your child and provide a more personalized experience.

Prepare for separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is common among young children starting preschool. Prepare your child for this by practicing leaving them with a trusted caregiver for short periods of time.

separation anxiety

Stay positive

Starting preschool can be emotional for both parents and children, but it's important to stay positive and supportive. Encourage your child to have fun and make new friends, and celebrate their accomplishments.

Be patient

Remember that every child is different and may have different needs when starting preschool. Be patient and supportive, and trust that your child will adjust in their own time.

owls

Warmly,

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How do I help my child play well with other children?

How do I help my child play well with other children?

Playing with other children is a crucial part of a child's social development. It helps them learn important skills like sharing, taking turns, and communication. However, not all children are naturally good at playing with others, and some need a little extra help. Here are some tips on how to help your child play well with other children.

1. Teach empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is an essential skill for playing well with other children. You can teach empathy by talking to your child about how others might be feeling and encouraging them to put themselves in other people's shoes. You can also model empathy by showing your child how to be kind and considerate to others.

child empathy

2. Encourage sharing

Sharing is a vital part of playing well with others. It can be challenging for some children to share their toys, but it is an essential skill to learn. You can encourage sharing by praising your child when they share and by modeling sharing behavior yourself. You can also teach your child to take turns with toys and games.

3. Set up playdates

Playdates are a great way for your child to practice playing with others. You can invite a friend over to play or take your child to a local playground. Encourage your child to interact with other children and help them navigate any conflicts that may arise.

children playing

4. Teach conflict resolution

Conflict is a natural part of playing with others. It is essential to teach your child how to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and respectful way. You can teach conflict resolution by helping your child identify the problem, brainstorming solutions, and choosing the best solution together.

5. Practice communication skills

Good communication is essential for playing well with others. Teach your child to express their feelings and needs clearly and respectfully. Encourage them to listen to others and ask questions to clarify their understanding.

child communication

6. Be a good role model

Children learn by watching and imitating the behavior of adults around them. Be a good role model by modeling positive social behavior. Show your child how to be kind, respectful, and empathetic to others.

7. Don't force it

Some children are naturally more introverted or shy and may not enjoy playing with others as much. Don't force your child to play with others if they are not comfortable. Instead, encourage them to find activities they enjoy and feel comfortable with.

8. Practice patience

Learning to play well with others takes time and patience. Be patient with your child and celebrate their progress, no matter how small. Encourage them to keep practicing and trying new things.

patience

By teaching empathy, encouraging sharing, setting up playdates, teaching conflict resolution and communication skills, modeling positive social behavior, and being patient, you can help your child learn to play well with others. Remember, every child is different, and some may need more help than others. With time and patience, your child can learn to be a great playmate!

Warmly,

Top photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash

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Dealing with tantrums

Help With Tantrums

It's a common scenario for parents to face tantrums from their kids. Tantrums are a way for children to express their emotions when they can't find the right words to communicate. However, dealing with tantrums can be overwhelming for parents, especially if they don't know how to handle them effectively.

Understanding Tantrums

Tantrums can occur at any age, but they are most common in toddlers and preschoolers. Children throw tantrums when they feel frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed. They may cry, scream, kick, or hit to express their emotions. Tantrums can be triggered by a variety of reasons, such as hunger, tiredness, boredom, or a desire for attention.

tantrum

Preventing Tantrums

Preventing tantrums is not always possible, but there are some strategies that can help reduce their frequency:

  • Stick to a routine: Children thrive on routine, so try to maintain a consistent schedule for meals, naps, and bedtime.
  • Avoid triggers: If you know that your child gets cranky when they are hungry or tired, plan ahead and have snacks or a nap ready.
  • Give choices: Children like to feel in control, so offer them choices whenever possible. For example, ask if they want to wear the red or blue shirt.

Note: Easy Daysies visual schedules are one of the best ways to help your child develop and maintain their daily routines!

Dealing with Tantrums

Despite your best efforts, tantrums can still happen. Here are some tips to help you deal with them:

  • Stay calm: It can be easy to get frustrated or angry when your child is having a tantrum, but try to stay calm and composed.
  • Validate their feelings: Let your child know that you understand how they feel. Use phrases like "I see that you're upset" or "I know it's hard."
  • Offer comfort: Sometimes, all your child needs is a hug or a reassuring pat on the back.
  • Redirect their attention: Distract your child with a toy, a book, or a game to shift their focus away from the tantrum.
Dealing with tantrums

Teaching Self-Regulation

One of the best ways to prevent tantrums in the long run is to teach your child self-regulation skills. Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions and behavior in a way that is appropriate for the situation. Here are some ways to help your child develop self-regulation:

  • Model calm behavior: Children learn by example, so try to model calm and controlled behavior when you are feeling upset or frustrated.
  • Teach coping strategies: Give your child tools to manage their emotions, such as taking deep breaths, counting to ten, or using positive self-talk.
  • Praise good behavior: When your child is able to manage their emotions and behavior, praise them for their efforts.
self-regulation

When to Seek Help

While tantrums are a normal part of childhood, there are times when they may indicate a more serious problem. If your child's tantrums are frequent, intense, or last for a long time, it may be a sign of an underlying issue. Talk to your child's pediatrician or a mental health professional if you have concerns.

tantrums

Dealing with tantrums can be challenging, but with patience, understanding, and the right strategies, you can help your child manage their emotions in a healthy way. You've got this!

Warmly,

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Autism Facts: TRUE and FALSE

Autism Facts: TRUE and FALSE

Autism Facts:  True or False Let’s get some autism facts straight.  As a former school teacher and a mom of three, I have only learned about Autism through my own research and through the honour of meeting fabulous autistic individuals in my adult life.  I am also grateful for incredible organizations like ANCA International Naturally Autistic […]

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Childhood Anxiety – It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way

Childhood Anxiety – It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way

One in four.

Twenty-five percent of school-aged children in North America suffer from some sort of anxiety.  As a school teacher I’ve seen it myself.  Our lifestyles are “busier” than ever, our kids are over-scheduled, and the pressure to “keep up” with other families keeps us on the hamster wheel of childhood achievement.  We all want what is best for our kids, so why are our kids getting more stressed and anxious by the day?

The National Institute of Mental Health describes anxiety this way:

“Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations. For some people, however, anxiety can become excessive, and while the person suffering may realize it is excessive they may also have difficulty controlling it and it may negatively affect their day-to-day living. There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias to name a few. Collectively they are among the most common mental disorders experienced by Americans.”

Anxiety disorder among children statistics

The question is, do you want your son or daughter to be in the growing group of over-stressed and anxious kids, or do you want to take action now to help them thrive in today’s fast-paced world?

I recently read an excellent article from Worry Wise Kids about “Parenting Tips For Anxious Kids“.  As I read each of the tips, I thought, “Yes, that’s Easy Daysies!”

Here are 4 tips from that article you can use today to help your son or daughter be less anxious, more confident, and better prepared for the world out there:


Expectations of Your Child

“It’s important that you have the same expectations of your anxious child that you would of another child (to go to birthday parties, make decisions, talk to adults). However, understand that the pace will need to be slower and there is a process involved in meeting this end goal. You can help your child break down big tasks into smaller steps that your child can accomplish.”
How Easy Daysies helps:
Easy Daysies Magnetic Schedules For Kids do exactly this – break down the day (or part of the day) into simple steps that adults often take for granted, but can be beneficial to children.  A child’s concept of time is developed as far as “What’s happening now” and “What’s happening next”.  Their sense of accomplishment is also very much that a task well done is its own reward, something we tend to forget as adults. Hence, the “To Do” and “Done” sides of the Easy Daysies magnetic board.

Build your child’s personal strength

“It’s important to praise your child for facing challenges, trying something new or brave behavior…There is a lot you can do to help build your child’s competence. Search to find avenues where your child can show he is good at something (music, art, sports). Also be sure your child has jobs around the house that show your child is contributing to the family.”
How Easy Daysies helps:
Your son or daughter does not need to power wash the house to contribute. Little things like making the bed, setting the table, or feeding a family pet are more than enough to contribute to the family.  To make sure this happens consistently, use Easy Daysies magnets from the Chores and Special Times Pack that have check-mark boxes for each time the task is completed. Remember, the reward is the job well done!
Strong child

Letting your child learn to do things on his/her own

“While tempting, it is best not to take over or do it for your child. While this might help your child feel better right now, the message your child is getting is that you don’t believe your child can do it. Then your child will start to think the same way about him or herself.”
How Easy Daysies helps:
While power washing may be a bit extreme, you would be amazed at what your child can do by himself / herself!  Using Easy Daysies, my own children have learned to read time, clean their bedroom and clean the bathroom (toilets included) all by age 7.  These are called “life skills” because our kids can use them for a lifetime!  I’ve read too many stories about first year college students who don’t know how to cook, clean or use a bank machine because their well-meaning parents have done everything for them.  Once again – the reward is the job well done!
Siblings Walking Together Lessens Anxiety

Consequences

“Don’t confuse anxiety with other types of inappropriate behavior. It is very important to set both expectations and have limits and consequences for inappropriate behavior. Parents who have reasonable expectations of their children and clear and consistent limits and consequences for behavior along with love and acceptance have the most competent, self confident and happy children.”
How Easy Daysies helps:
Set your reasonable expectations right on your Easy Daysies magnetic board. First, Snack Time, then Play Time, then Clean Up, and then you get Screen Time.  Sometimes the reward is a job well done, plus a reward!

Easing anxiety in children

I feel really strongly about helping our kids become independent and less anxious.  I’ve heard so many testimonials from professionals and Easy Daysies families about how Easy Daysies helps to lessen anxiety:

“I heard about you from a client of mine. I often recommend to parents that they have a visual schedule for their children. I see a lot of little ones with anxiety and part of keeping that at bay is setting up for them an expectation of what is coming up in their day. Unfortunately, many of the families that I work with are very busy and it is hard to follow through on that recommendation because it is difficult to go home and find the clip art etc. So I was beyond THRILLED to hear that someone has already done this and the in the exact perfect format!! I wanted to order a set to try out for myself so I can tell my clients all about it! Thank you for this wonderful product and for donating a portion of your proceeds. I have worked with children that have come through some of those experiences and have witnessed the horrible trauma as well as the power of healing.  Sincere best wishes, Vanessa” – Registered Child Psychologist and Mom of two

Once again, which group do you want your child(ren) to join – the growing group of over-stressed and anxious kids, or the group of strong, independent children who can thrive in today’s fast-paced world?

Easy Daysies

Easy Daysies can be purchased online or at retailers across North America, such as Staples and Scholar’s Choice in Canada, and Barnes & Noble in the USA.

Shop Easy Daysies

The post Childhood Anxiety – It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way appeared first on Easy Daysies - Magnetic Schedules for Families.

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