Cooperate with your preschooler

Have you noticed that your preschooler who adjusts well in school and sails through all the activities at his playschool is downright uncooperative and resentful when he comes home? Does this changed behaviour confuses you or worry you? You don’t have to worry according to child specialists your child who has worked hard all day at playschool by being cooperative, playing, studying and paying attention to all that his teacher teaches needs to let down. This is his way of letting down. Follow these tips to let him adjust to his home routine.

Don’t expect a conversation from your child. Your 3-4 year old is still very young and has limited verbal skills, he may not be able to express why he is behaving or feeling slightly cranky. Your child may be facing difficulty in making a transition from school to home but is unable to express it as he may not be capable of putting all his feelings into words.

Be patient with your child. This is one of the most important things you could practice. Small children often face difficulty when they are about to learn a new skill and may be slightly stuck up while they are making the transition. Being patient with your child will show positive results as your child manages to master the new skill and becomes his normal self.

Serve healthy snacks to your child. Avoid loading your child with sweet treats which can lead to irritability even if it is liked in the short term. Serve fruits and other healthy snacks.

Give your child some downtime. Taking your child directly from school to a mall or for shopping may make him more tired. It is sensible to give your child some time to relax at home before plunging him into another activity.

Get some exercise. It is important to take your child outdoors and let him get some fresh exercise. Exercise and fresh air will reduce stress for your child. After school take your child for a walk or walk the dog with him or play a game with him in the backyard. This will help your child unwind.

Be Consistent with what rules you are setting. Preschoolers have to learn a lot of rules. Ask your child about the rules he is learning at school, and enforce them at home also. If your child has been taught not to interrupt while the other person is speaking, don’t allow him to do this at home at the dinner table or when you are on the phone. This will ensure that your child is not confused.

Get to know your child’s teacher. Apart from scheduled parent teacher meetings get to know your child’s teacher and discuss any concerns you have with the child’s behaviour also give a clue to the teacher about how your child is behaving at home.

Finally you have to understand that your child is most comfortable at home and with you, thus any resentful behaviour you may note may be because of fatigue and irritability and your child expresses this at home because home is a place where he can let his hair down.