Preschool

If you’re working in your study, empty one of the cabinets under the bureau. Young children enjoy hiding things there, then retrieving their treasures. Some even climb inside to play hide and seek – but make sure the area is free from sharp objects and can be opened easily from inside if a child is going to play there Construct a tent with chairs and a sheet in the room where … [Read more...] about Dad Advice: Aiding your Toddlers at Play

Admittedly, toddlers need a great deal of supervision and interaction during play. It isn’t possible or desirable to impose a degree of independence on them before they are ready. However, toddlers have already begun developing the capacity to enjoy their own company for short periods of time.   Provided that the environment is safe and a parent is nearby (i.e., Dad is … [Read more...] about Keeping your toddlers Happy and Safe

Avoid triggers: Taking your hungry toddlers grocery shopping before dinner and expecting them to understand that cookies will spoil their appetite is like putting a new trampoline in the kitchen and expecting them not to jump on it until the cake is done baking: It's a foolproof recipe for disaster. Feed them before you go, or pack some healthy snacks they can eat on … [Read more...] about Dad Advice: More Tips on dealing with Whining

If your children can't get past the whining, try restating the issue for them. For instance, say, "I can see that you're upset. Is it because I can't take you to the park right now?" This will get a conversation going.   At some point, the children should be made to realize the pointless effort that whining is – hence it is important that it goes unappreciated. Teaching … [Read more...] about Better ways to get things done

Children often resort to whining when they've tried and failed to get their parent's ear.   Heather Itzla, mother of 2-year-old Ian, finds that her son whines only when she's not responding to what he's saying. "I bend down to his level and make eye contact with him," Itzla says. "Once he sees that I'm listening, I can get him to tell me what he wants without whining." … [Read more...] about Acknowledge your child’s need for attention