Through my years of parenting I have noticed one thing about two and three year olds; they don’t eat. On rare occasions you find the child who finishes every morsel on his plate. Yet, for the a majority of children it is around the ages of 18 months to 3 years that you notice a significant decline in their eating habits. The child hardly touches their breakfast so you assume he will eat lunch. Lunch comes and goes without eating more than an apple slice. So you wait for dinner thinking that is when he will make up for it. … Continue reading →

Counting is for the Birds By: Frank Mazzola, Jr. You can purchase it on Amazon here. Book synopsis: From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2. One by one, birds arrive at a feeder until a total of 20 are clustered at the spot. A squirrel scatters the flock, thwarting a patient cat who lurks in the background. This versatile book invites more than one reading to absorb the variety of concepts presented. It is, first of all, a counting book with a flowing, rhyming story, but it also gives information about birds in both text and illustration. Each double-spread includes basic … Continue reading →

Preschoolers get frustrated easily. They are making the transition from toddler to big kid and that can be hard to do. So many changes from sleeping in a big kid bed to going to school. They are expected to have a certain sense of maturity that they may not understand or feel ready for. When the pressure gets to be too much they begin to whine. Sometimes you have no idea when the pressure is building so one day they may handle you saying no with grace while the next day tears may flow. You must always be understanding yet … Continue reading →

You are out with your child having a great time window shopping. You pass by a lovely toy store with many colorful and creative items that call your child’s attention. Your child asks to go in and see the wonder and experience the imagination he will surely find in the aisles of the store. Having some extra time on your hands you decide to comply. You walk up and down the aisles when your child sees a model airplane he must have. Seeing the price tag you have to decline but say perhaps he will get it for Christmas. Your … Continue reading →

A preschooler is blessed to have older siblings. A big sister is great for reading bedtime stories, doing hair and laughing. A big brother will play all day outside, let you win, and doesn’t mind if you get dirty. A sweet relationship develops between older and younger siblings. There are trying times, challenges, and disagreements but in the end a bond is formed that cannot be broken. Most big brothers and sisters have no intention of being a poor influence on their younger siblings. Many times what is acceptable and age appropriate for an older sibling is not acceptable or … Continue reading →

Preschool is a delightful time in a child’s life. Little hands writing their name for the first time or creating a unique art project. Preschoolers are very curious and want to learn about everything around them. Their excitement is contagious and as moms or homeschoolers we want to be sure we are giving them the best educational start possible. I try to tell moms homeschooling preschool for the first time to let the child lead. Allow for fun, creativity, nature walks, painting, exploring and making big messes. Lessons are best learned messy and hands on. However many have expressed they … Continue reading →

Yesterday, I discussed a few ways to handle play dates that become nightmares. Here are some more tips to help you survive. Take a break: If your group is meeting weekly in the same setting it is possible the children are reacting out of boredom. The novelty of the new setting may be wearing off and now they are ready to push boundaries. Perhaps taking a week off will do everyone some good. It will also send a message to your child that acting poorly will result in not playing with his friends. If your child is not the one … Continue reading →

Preschoolers need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep, including naptime, a day. Most preschooler still need naps but it is not unusual for a preschooler to resist naps or no longer take them. If you have trouble with naptime you can establish a “quiet time” instead. This will allow your child time to rest which may be enough to fend off the grumpy times of day. At night a preschooler may resist bedtime because she does not want to miss anything or stop playing. Implementing a bedtime routine and sticking to it will calm bedtime troubles. The first thing … Continue reading →

Preschool concerns are normal when a child resists going to school. You may find yourself wondering if your child is adjusting to this new environment. You may wonder if the teacher is doing her job. You may wonder how the other children are treating your child. When is it normal to resist preschool and when should you look for a deeper problem? How much time do you give before taking action? Is your child simply taking longer to adjust than you expect? Normal separation anxiety: Preschool is a big step for children as for most it is the first time … Continue reading →

Enuresis is the medical term for nighttime incontinence. Over five million children experience this beyond the age of four. Bed wetting may feel lonely but it is very common. It is important to note that your child is not at fault for wetting the bed. The act of wetting the bed is shameful to most children so if the parent reacts as if it is the child’s fault that can only lead to more stress. One cause of bed wetting is stress so adding in more stress can delay the solution or make the problem worse for everyone. If you … Continue reading →