- A child brought up in an atmosphere of love & fun and feeling safe & secure. This is the greatest gift you can give your child.
- Establish “together time”. Establish a regular weekly routine for doing something special with your child – even if it is just going out for an ice cream.
- Get to know your kid’s friends and their parents so that you are familiar with their activities.
- Try to be there after school when your child gets home.
- Be a better listener. Ask and encourage questions. Showing your willingness to listen will make your child feel more comfortable about opening up to you.
- Do not react in a way that will cut off further discussion. If your child says things that shock you, turn them into a calm discussion.
TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING
• Let your preschooler eat what you eat.
• Healthy eating on-the-go is possible. Offer a variety of foods every day.
• Encourage healthy eating for everyone in the family.
• Let your child decide if they are full or hungry.
• Offer healthy snacks between meals.
• Encourage children to help prepare meals.
• Encourage water rather than sweet drinks.
• Enjoy family mealtimes and activities together.
• Plan meals and snacks and reduce mindless eating. (No eating in front of TV).
• Be flexible. Some children in this age group are still fussy, so offer a wide variety of foods and regular meals and snacks, and allow the child to eat according to his/her appetite without force or arguments.
• Be the change you are trying to create. Don’t be a habitual offender of the very rules you are trying to enforce on your child.
