Entering school for the first time is a big step, and it’s scary for most kids. As they grow from infancy through toddlerhood, children develop habits to help them process anxiety, comfort themselves, or just alleviate boredom. But try to help break these habits before your child enters kindergarten, as they can have detrimental social, physical, and academic impacts on your child’s school experience.
Saying No All the Time
Many parents familiar with “the terrible twos” have watched their child discover the power of the word “no.” Toddlers love to test the limits of saying “no” to just about everything. While it is essential for children to learn to assert themselves, excessive use of rejections can lead to difficulties in social situations. Encourage them to express their feelings in a more nuanced way and consider the feelings of others.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a natural self-soothing behavior in young children. But thumb sucking has both short- and long-term consequences, including dental problems and difficulty with speech. Gradually encourage your child to find other ways to self-soothe and comfort themselves.
Refusing To Share
Sharing teaches children about empathy, cooperation, and fairness. If your child consistently refuses to share, this behavior could lead to social challenges in kindergarten. Use games and activities to show your child the benefits of sharing and make it a fun and rewarding experience.
Not Respecting Privacy
Children are naturally curious, but it is important that they learn to respect their own and others’ privacy. They should understand the importance of not going through others’ belongings without permission and the concept of personal space. It also involves learning to close a bathroom stall door and to seek privacy if they need to change their clothes.
Additionally, it may be necessary to emphasize the importance of keeping clothes on in public and not attempting to touch or play with clothes on others.
Eating Anytime
Regular eating schedules are important for children’s health and well-being. If your child is used to raiding the snack drawer or rummaging through the fridge for a juice box or piece of fruit as they see fit, the habit could disrupt meal times and snack times at kindergarten. Establish a regular eating schedule at home to prepare them for the structure of kindergarten.
Preparing your child for kindergarten involves more than teaching them their ABCs and 123s. It is also about breaking some habits before entering kindergarten to ensure they can adapt well to their new environment. Habits are hard to break, but with patience, understanding, and consistency, your child will be ready to take on early education.
Candid Mama
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