One of the most exhausting battles parents fight is the one over sleep. To make things worse, the middle of the night or the end of a long day isn’t the time we want to think strategically about how to overcome a conflict with a toddler. And after days and days of sleepless nights, no amount of caffeine during the day will help, either.
At the end of the day, acknowledge that you are doing your very best as a parent. Vague societal standards shouldn’t be the measuring sticks we use to define parental success. Whether that’s a 30-minute check-in at the end of each day or an hours-long activity once a week, look at what your children need and do your best to make sure everyone feels valued and loved.
Thankfully, being helpful and comforting comes naturally to little kids. And while empathy develops over time, by the age of 2, children start trying to comfort others who are obviously upset. By age 4, they can better understand when they’ve hurt someone and apologize. That may seem surprising, but kids are very sensitive to their worlds. They see the importance of kindness, especially if it’s reflected in the lives of those around them.
The hope we have for every child at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse® is that they grow up to feel powerful! That means feeling secure in themselves, making positive life choices, learning to think critically, expressing and acknowledging their feelings and thoughts, and leading full lives.
So how do we raise girls to be powerful when all of this junk is getting in their way? Start early!
If you’ve ever met a toddler, you may have noticed that they have some of the highest confidence levels out there. At two years old, they are the fastest, can jump the highest, and know all their numbers and letters. None of it is true but try convincing them of that.
Today’s the day. Your kiddos first day of preschool. You’ve picked out the cute new outfit, you bought that adorable backpack, and your child seems just as excited as you are about going to “big kid” school.
Goal-setting is one of the most essential lessons a child can be taught. By educating your children on the value of goal-setting, you’ll empower them to always try to achieve their best; consequently, increasing their chances for success in life.
As parents, we must ensure selections are age-appropriate, ask questions before, after and during the book. Encourage your children to play/act out the plot. Bring your books to life and make reading fun for everyone involved.
While many factors will influence how children perform in school during this fall, one of the most important factors is parental support. Showing your children that you’re excited about and supportive of their educational journeys, despite the added stress of COVID-19, will greatly influence how they react to their altered schooling this fall.
