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Set a Good Example for Your Preschooler
By Maria Connor
It’s not uncommon for parents to do or say things in front of an infant or toddler that they wouldn’t do in front of an older child. Parents assume small children are too young to understand these words and actions. This casual attitude can cause trouble down the line when those little kids turn into preschoolers.
The Importance of Role Modeling
Preschoolers are notorious for their ability to soak up information and mimic behavior. At this age, they are discovering the power of communication. They are learning to interpret body language, verbal nuances and physical interactions between people. These busy little observers are starting to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate.
“What parents do tends to carry more weight than what they say,” says Michelle Becker, a licensed marriage and family counselor from Poway, Calif. “Parents model positive behavior for children and negative behavior for children. Kids pick up everything their parents say and do.”
Parents’ actions set an example for more than good manners. They are showing their preschooler how to get along with people, how to take care of themselves, how to handle success and disappointment, and how to solve problems.
1. Avoid sending conflicting messages. It is confusing if parents say one thing, yet do the opposite, such as parents who spank a child for hitting a sibling.
2. Teach by example. Telling children to be polite is vague, but speaking in a friendly tone, not interrupting, holding the door open for a stranger shows your preschooler ways to be polite. Modeling is particularly effective for preschoolers because they are still grasping to understand verbal language.
3. Role play different behaviors. This gives preschoolers a chance to walk through the actions of a situation and provides an opportunity for parents to talk about why certain decisions are better than others.
Parents and other significant grown-ups have a huge impact on the type of individual a preschooler will become. It is vital that adults not only tell preschoolers how to behave, but show them with their own actions.
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It’s not uncommon for parents to do or say things in front of an infant or toddler that they wouldn’t do in front of an older child. Parents assume small children are too young to understand these words and actions. This casual attitude can cause trouble down the line when those little kids turn into preschoolers.
The Importance of Role Modeling
Preschoolers are notorious for their ability to soak up information and mimic behavior. At this age, they are discovering the power of communication. They are learning to interpret body language, verbal nuances and physical interactions between people. These busy little observers are starting to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate.“What parents do tends to carry more weight than what they say,” says Michelle Becker, a licensed marriage and family counselor from Poway, Calif. “Parents model positive behavior for children and negative behavior for children. Kids pick up everything their parents say and do.”
Parents’ actions set an example for more than good manners. They are showing their preschooler how to get along with people, how to take care of themselves, how to handle success and disappointment, and how to solve problems.
How to be a Good Role Model
Not sure how to be a good role model for your preschooler? First and foremost, parents need to identify what behaviors are important. Second, if you expect it of your preschooler, expect it of yourself. Here are some other suggestions to keep in mind:1. Avoid sending conflicting messages. It is confusing if parents say one thing, yet do the opposite, such as parents who spank a child for hitting a sibling.
2. Teach by example. Telling children to be polite is vague, but speaking in a friendly tone, not interrupting, holding the door open for a stranger shows your preschooler ways to be polite. Modeling is particularly effective for preschoolers because they are still grasping to understand verbal language.
3. Role play different behaviors. This gives preschoolers a chance to walk through the actions of a situation and provides an opportunity for parents to talk about why certain decisions are better than others.
Parents and other significant grown-ups have a huge impact on the type of individual a preschooler will become. It is vital that adults not only tell preschoolers how to behave, but show them with their own actions.
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.
