Page 119 - Parents Magazine (December 2019)
P. 119
follow your instructions but doesn’t have won’t seem as abrupt and she’ll be in the
the skills yet—and instead of failing, she right mindset to cooperate.
won’t do it at all. So when you ask her to Sources: Kyle Pruett, M.D., clinical professor
put on her shoes but she wanders off, get O N E K I N D T H I N G YO U C A N in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine;
D O F O R YO U R K I D Gail Gross, Ph.D., Ed.D., a psychologist in Houston;
down on her level, make eye contact, Suzanne Kaseta, M.D., a pediatrician at Washingtonville
“Tell the truth. Even white
and ask what she’s having trouble with. Pediatrics, in New York.
lies like ‘The park is
closed’ are inconsiderate.
Show the way.
Honestly saying
When you announce, “Time to wash
‘I know you want to go to the
your hands!” and your child plops onto 5 – 6 Y E A R S
park today, but we have
the couch, lead by example. Encourage
to go grocery shopping’ is
him to pull his stool up to the sink while
respectful.”
you stand beside him and wash your H O W T O
—Wendy L. Hunter, M.D.; Rady
hands too. It’s more fun when he doesn’t
Children’s Hospital–San Diego Avoid Getting
have to do it alone. You’ll be modeling
how to stick to a routine (always washing Embarrassed
up before a meal) and stay on task.
by TAMEKIA REECE
Eventually, it will become a habit.
her that she can only spend ten minutes
Think about transitions. in the tub if she wants to read a book.
Sometimes the issue isn't your child’s Consider giving her a warning like, "Hey, Practice social skills.
willingness to listen but how much she’s we need to get out and dry off in five Even though embarrassment peaks in
enjoying what she’s already doing. It’s minutes.” You can even give a second the tween years, kids can start feeling
important to establish routines so she alert about two minutes before she self-conscious in kindergarten and first
knows what’s coming next. If she always should start picking up her bath toys. grade. Being the center of attention is
takes a bath before storytime, remind When the time comes to stop playing, it uncomfortable for many kids because
