Preschoolers are a delight and adventurous. It’s important to instill certain habits to help ensure smooth days. Read these 5 healthy habits to teach your preschooler.
Our little ones soak up everything with enthusiasm. They copy things we say, habits we have, and mannerisms that we use. Sometimes this copycat behavior does not seem like sincere flattery as it can expose our flaws to us when we see our pint-sized minions doing things we know we do or say that we should not. Keep this in mind as we review the next few steps.
Have a schedule or routine
As moms, we can be lax in this area, but it is not to anyone’s benefit. Children function extremely well when they know what to expect through routine and knowing that life is full of them is a good thing for your preschooler to get used to. There is a time to wake, a time to sleep, a time to eat, a time to work, and a time to play. Sometimes these things change a bit, depending on the day, but overall learning that each day has a rhythm and schedule is a good thing.
Self-care
Instill this one early, using charts, if necessary. Teach your little tyke how to dress, brush their teeth and hair, and pick up dirty laundry. Often we do not give our children enough credit for what they really can do at this age, so we simply do it for them, this is a bad habit on our part as parents.
Take care of your dishes
Have your child remove their place setting after meals. If you are concerned about their breaking something, make sure they have their plastic cup/plate to use, but teach them to be responsible for their setting. This is an excellent habit also for visiting others, have your child ask first, but clearing their place setting is always a help.
Have some down time
We live in a world that constantly tells us we need to be entertained. Allow your child time just to be still. There are times we need to remove all distractions and just allow our children to find their own thing to do; this is, of course, where some of the most imaginative play occurs when there isn’t a screen to look at, a practice to run to or a show to watch.
Resolve conflicts
Your preschooler is just at the cusp of learning how to solve their problems appropriately. Often if there are issues with siblings, our children need little more than to learn the habit of conflict resolution with a helpful guide. Teach your children that instead of running to mom, they need to be more in tune with working things out. You’ll be surprised what happens.
Sometimes when child rearing, we don’t stop to think about the simple things we teach as being habits. These skills become adapted habits and will serve our children well throughout life when they can master them.
Is there anything you’d add to this list? What habits and skills do you teach your preschoolers that’s benefitted them?
Free Fun on the Farm Activity Pack
Have fun with your preschooler, as they practice writing, color, and enjoy educational activities that are perfect for little learners.
This is a wonderful post! We all need to learn these things as we are growing up, and these are important skills to share wth our little ones. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Sharing on Twitter later today.
Thanks, April! Yes, these are habits that even moms need to implement. 🙂
Loved this list! Will feature today at Home Sweet Home!
Thanks so much, Sherry. <3 You made my morning. 🙂