What To Teach A 4 Year Old

Five teachers with a combined 90 decades of experience share tips for parents of two - to 5-year-olds. Finding the Best Out of Your Child I fear my 3-year-old, Sophie, has a split personality. At school she cleans up her toys, puts on her shoes, and is entirely self-sufficient at potty time. In the home, she yells whenever I ask her to pick anything up, insists that I join her in the restroom whenever she has to go, and recently has started demanding that I spoon-feed her dinner. Clearly, her teacher knows something I don't. But , what parent hasn't sometimes wondered: Why is my child better for everyone else than for me? The simple answer: Your kid tests her limits with you since she trusts you'll love her no matter what. But that doesn't mean that you can't borrow a few plans from the preschool instructors ' playbook to get the best from the little one. We asked teachers from all over the country for their tips so listen up -- and take notes! .

Promoting Independence

While 3- and 4-year-olds still need lots of parental assistance, our preschool experts concur that children are typically able to perform more than many people believe. Here's how you can promote them:

Don't delay discipline

If you have to reprimand your child, do so when you watch her misbehaving, advises Buss. Occasionally I will hear parents say, 'Wait till we get home...,' but at the time you're house, your kid has forgotten the episode. Similarly, canceling Saturday's zoo trip due to Thursday's tantrum won't prevent potential outbursts; it will just feel like random, undeserved punishment to your child.

Warn of transitions

If your child pitches a fit if you pronounce it's time to switch gears --if that means shutting off the TV, stopping play to come consume, or leaving a friend's home -- it could be that you're not devoting enough advance notice. At school we let children know when alterations are coming so that they have time to finish whatever they're doing, observes Cohen-Dorfman. If you have to leave the home at 8:30 a.m., warn your child at 8:15 she's five more minutes to perform, then might need to stop to put away her toys. Set a timer so she knows if the time is up.

Let your child work out minor squabbles

Rather than swooping into settle disputes, return and let them work it out (unless they're hitting each other). You won't always be there to rescue your child.