Michele Borba, EdD, author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, says, "These ages (3-5) are among the most active and frustrating in terms of parenting. Here are eight common mistakes parents of preschoolers make and some smart fixes to help avoid or resolve problems.
1. Straying Too Much From Routines
Consistency is key for preschoolers, says pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, author of Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions about Babies and Toddlers. Be consistent across the board -- whether it's with discipline, sleep habits, or mealtime routines.
2. Focusing on the Negative
It's easy to hone in on your child's negative actions -- like yelling and screaming -- and ignore the good ones. Notice when your child is doing something positive, and reward the good behavior.
3. Missing the Warning Signs
Parents often try to reason with children when they're in the throes of a temper tantrum, repeating, "Calm down, calm down." But that's like trying to reason with a goldfish, Borba says. "You've got power immediately beforehand when you can still distract or anticipate. But once the tantrum is in full force, you've lost it. The kid is not hearing you." Figure out and anticipate what your kid's natural warning signs are, Borba says. The usual ones are hunger, fatigue, and boredom.
4. Encouraging Whining
Does your child's whining drive you crazy? For instance, does it drive you up the wall when, right before dinnertime while getting ready to preparing food, your child starts crying, "I wanna go to the park," or "I wanna go play with Riley."
For behavior that isn't aggressive, like a whine or sulk, you're better off if you don't respond to it at all. If you're consistent, Borba says, your child will think, "Well, that didn't work."
5. Overscheduling Your Child
Parents often line up a slew of activities, like dance or music classes. Then they wonder why their child isn't getting in bed and falling asleep right away after so many activities that must have made them tired.
Don't overschedule your child or shuttle them from one activity to the next. Give your child time to unwind with free play when they get home from school.
6. Underestimating the Importance of Play
Many parents feel they should sign their children up for enrichment programs to give them an edge. But that's not really the case. Allow your child time and space for free play. Remember that preschoolers define play as "what you do when you get to choose what to do."
7. Getting Distracted By the Daily Grind
Your child may play well independently, but that doesn't mean they don't crave your attention. "There's something children miss out on if parents don't get on the floor and play with them," Cohen says. Set a timer, be enthusiastic, and stay involved for your designated play period with your child.
8. Overreacting to Lies
Cohen says lying really freaks parents out. He urges parents to see the behavior as experimenting rather than as "a moral thing." Don't overreact. Know that telling a fib or two is a normal part of your child's development.
Source https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/parenting-preschoolers-mistakes
