Our goal as parents is to raise happy, successful children. However, sometimes giving our children too much is not good for them. Because of this, it is important to set limits with our children to help them become responsible and well-adjusted adults.

Limits are guidelines for expected behavior both inside and outside the home. Setting limits can help kids develop self-control, take responsibility for their choices, and prevent them from feeling entitled.

Why it’s important to set limits

Putting reasonable limits in place is beneficial for kids because:

• Limits teach children about self-control and taking responsibility
• Limits set boundaries and teach kids about which behaviors are appropriate
• Limits help prevent children from developing a sense of entitlement
• Limits can help enrich children’s interpersonal relationships
• Limits teach kids self-discipline

In order to learn which behaviors are acceptable and appropriate, we as adults need to establish clear expectations. Follow these tips to help you set limits with your little one:

8 Tips For Setting Limits With Kids

Establish rules and limits early on

The earlier you establish your family’s rules and limits, the easier it will be for your child to follow them. With young children, you may want to set simple rules, such as “Stay near me,” or “Keep your hands and feet to yourself.” As kids grow, you can add more specific rules, such as “No hitting,” “No screaming,” or, “No leaving the house without permission.”

Be consistent

If you make a rule one day but don’t enforce it the next, this will be confusing. Your child won’t know what to expect. Try to be as consistent as possible with your rules, as well as the consequences that may come if a rule is broken.

Explain the reasoning behind your rules

Explain to your child why following rules is important. When you set a limit on how much TV children can watch, explain that too much TV can be bad for their eyes and overall health. If you have rules regarding how many unhealthy snacks or desserts children can eat, explain that eating too many sweets can harm their health. Your child will follow rules more consistently if they understand the rationale behind them.

Be firm and fair

It’s important to set rules and expectations that are realistic, and enforce them in a way that is fair and consistent. For example, if you don’t want children to watch TV for more than an hour a day, decide which hours of the day during which TV will be allowed. Be sure to enforce the rule consistently, even on weekends.

Use positive reinforcement while setting limits

Praise your children when they follow the rules you’ve set. By associating positive behavior with desired outcomes, they are more likely to follow the rules going forward. You may also wish to reward good behavior occasionally. The rewards do not have to be material. In addition, they can include things like extra time to play a favorite game, or getting to choose the meal for the week.

Make sure limits aren’t too restrictive

It’s important to establish firm yet achievable limits for your child. If the limits you set are too restrictive, children are more likely to become frustrated and angry. This will only make it harder for them to follow the rules.

As an example, if you set a limit that children can only talk to people they know, they may become frustrated or confused if they are not allowed to speak to the cashier at the store. Examine your rules and make sure they are attainable and fit each situation.

Be prepared to adjust your limits as your child gets older

As children mature, their abilities and needs will change, and so will the limits that you establish. Be prepared to adjust your expectations and rules as kids grow, and learn about their own actions and choices.

Be patient with your child

It takes time for children to learn and follow rules. Try to avoid becoming frustrated if your little one doesn’t always comply right away. Try to be patient, and keep reinforcing limits. Children are likely to get the hang of it as long as you’re consistent with your expectations.

It can be challenging to set limits for children. Some kids may be resistant at times. It’s important, however, to set limits for the good of our kids’ development and well-being. With a little patience, you’ll be able to successfully establish expectations and raise children who are happy, well-adjusted, and responsible individuals.

At Young Scholars Academy, we aim to create an engaging learning environment for children. Our program is filled with meaningful and fun activities that create wonderful memories. If you enroll your kids with us, they will remember their time at Young Scholars Academy with happiness throughout the years! Learn more about us by visiting our website.

 

This is probably the most challenging group to read to because they are not going to stop moving. The trick is to find books that are interactive and asking them to move around. Here’s a few good ones:

• There’s a Dragon in your Book by: Tom Fletcher. In this book there is something to smash, splash, fire to put out, or words to say to the dragon. It’s bound to get a lot of attention from little ones.
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle. This book is just a classic to be loved by all. Kids love to pretend to eat the foods with the caterpillar. Then the pages with the holes and the partial pages make it extra fun.
• Where is Fuzzy Penguin by: Yayo Kawamura. Each page and even the cover page has a fuzzy textured penguin to find. Some are easy and some are more challenging because there’s hundreds of penguins in the book. Your toddler will have a great time running their fingers over each page to find him.
• Never Touch a… (series of different animals) by: Rosie Greening
  Or any books with buttons, pop ups, or textures are sure to be a hit!
  The importance is still there as much as it was during infancy. The main goals are the same; creating a love of reading by tying books to bonding and love and exposing your young child to more words than they hear anywhere else.
  The magic number is 15. If you can spend at least 15 minutes out of your family’s day reading, your kiddo will be miles ahead in life. It doesn’t have to be before bedtime. It doesn’t even have to be 15 minutes all together. If they will only hold still for 2 minutes and again later, you only have 5 minutes between the oven timer. That is just fine. All the minutes will add up the same. your child’s brain will thank you all the same at the end of each day!
  Lastly, here are some easy ways to sneak in reading (it’s not like we’re busy or something, ha).
• Audio books in the car
• Bath time
• While getting dinner ready
• Bedtime
• Early morning
• While they eat a snack
• Outside time
• Free play (read a truck book while they drive cars on the floor)

Thanks for reading about reading with toddlers!

Ms. Brooke
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Literacy and Curriculum Coordinator

We may hear the term “self-regulation” used by psychologists, educators, and parents , and with good reason. Self-regulation skills lay the foundation for healthy relationships, academic achievement, and future success. The ability to effectively manage one’s emotions and actions is an essential facet of one’s overall emotional intelligence, and is crucial for children as well as adults. This is why it’s so important for us to help our children develop self-regulation skills.

Kids who can regulate their emotions and behavior are more likely to have an easier time making friends, succeeding in school, and managing stress. It can be difficult for parents to know how to help kids when they’re struggling with strong emotions and behavior management. Helping our kids learn how to self-regulate is a process that takes time, patience, and practice. By following these seven tips, you can get started on the right track with your child!

Strive for balance

Most kids tend to cope with stress in one of three ways – avoidance, approach, or aggression. Kids who shy away from difficult situations are self-regulating through avoidance. In contrast, those who engage in risky behavior or lash out at others are self-regulating through aggression. Finally, kids who cope with stressful situations by addressing their circumstances in a positive manner self-regulate through approach.

As a parent, it’s important not to focus all your efforts on one type of self-regulation strategy. Most children will display each of the above-mentioned coping mechanisms at different times, so try not to label your child as just one. Instead of labeling children’s coping mechanisms, try to identify which style works best for your child in different situations.

Identify triggers

Kids who can self-regulate effectively are typically able to identify their stress triggers. This means they can quickly move from feeling stressed or upset into healthy self-regulated behavior. As parents, it’s vital to help children become self-aware by helping them pinpoint the event or situation that is bothering them and how they might handle the situation differently next time.

For example, your child might be upset because he didn’t get the role he wanted in a play at school. Instead of having a tantrum or lashing out at his friends, it’s beneficial for him to learn how to identify what is making him so upset. We need to help children understand how they are feeling, and in this case, what it is about not getting the role makes them sad. This will help your child move forward and perhaps find a different activity that can bring joy.

Practice self-talk

Self-regulation skills begin with self-awareness and self-monitoring. Help children identify the messages they are giving themselves (or “self-talk”) and recognize when their self-talk tends to be positive or negative. When self-talk is primarily negative, encourage kids to change their self-talk from “I can’t do this” or “I’m going to fail” to “I think I can handle this, and if I can’t, I know someone who can help me.” The more they practice engaging in positive self-talk, the more effectively they’ll be able to cope with stressful situations in the future.

Label emotions

When children self-regulate through avoidance, they probably struggle to label what they’re feeling at any given moment. If this is the case, try teaching them how to identify their emotions. This will help them become more comfortable recognizing a variety of feelings, and learning which ones may push them towards different behaviors and responses.

For example, you might tell your child, “You seem really upset right now!” and then wait for a response. Does your child walk away, or articulate the cause of anger? Do this enough times, and your child will learn to self-regulate through self-labeling.

Cultivate a warm and loving relationship

Another important strategy to help children develop healthy self-regulation skills is by cultivating a warm and loving relationship with them. Effective self-regulation skills tend to emerge in children who have self-confidence and feel loved and supported at home. These kids usually cope more effectively in times of stress because they feel secure enough to practice new skills and learn from their mistakes.

Allow children to take their time

Regulating emotions isn’t an ability that is present at birth. Give your children adequate time to process their feelings. When children are upset, remind them to take deep breaths and give them time to calm down before discussing the situation. Self-awareness and self-regulation are skills that require patience and practice.

Healthy self-regulation skills are important for kids to develop in order to succeed and find happiness in life. You can help your child develop self-regulation skills by following these helpful strategies.

At Young Scholars Academy, our philosophy is to be a vital extension of your family. We provide a nurturing and loving environment for children as we work together to build a foundation for their happiness and success. Visit our website to learn more.

 

A parent’s most important role is to teach their children a few basic social skills, which are essential for mental health, success, and happiness. Children who can interact and relate to others positively will be better able to establish and enjoy meaningful relationships with peers and others. In addition, they will find academic success and career fulfillment.

Through play dates, group activities, and other ways to interact with other kids, you can introduce your child to some essential basic social skills. While it is important not to force these experiences on our children, it is important for them to be exposed to them in order to practice and develop their social skills.

Here are five basic social skills that every preschooler should learn:

Sharing

Children’s willingness to share can go a long way when it comes to forming relationships and making friends. Sharing a snack or a toy is important for kids to learn as early as possible. At first, it’s not always easy because young children are often reluctant to share things that are important to them.

By presenting your child with opportunities when possible, you can instill this basic social skill. It is also possible to make it a game, such as, “Let’s see who can share their toys the best,” or, “How many things can you share?” When children see you value sharing, it is more likely to become a habit, and can even improve their confidence.

Taking turns

Children need to learn how to take turns as another basic social skill. It teaches children to listen, wait for their turn, and be courteous to others. Waiting for a turn while playing a game or speaking can be practiced.

Taking turns can be learned by playing games at home, drawing on a chalkboard, and even cooking.

Asking and answering questions

Children need to learn how to ask questions. It gives children confidence to initiate conversations and get to know others when they are able to ask questions effectively. Asking questions also motivates kids to pay attention and explore their surroundings.

Try encouraging your preschooler by asking open-ended questions such as, “What do you think about that story?” or “How does that make you feel?”. Consistently respond enthusiastically to children’s questions so they know their curiosity is valued. 

Apologizing

All of us make mistakes. Learning to apologize for our mistakes is a basic social skill. By saying sorry, we demonstrate humility and acknowledge that we made a mistake. Apologizing motivates children to improve certain behaviors and prevent repeating them in the future.

You can teach apology by example. When you apologize, this is a good opportunity to teach your child how to apologize in a sincere and appropriate way. Use a spilled cup of juice as a chance for your child to observe as you apologize and clean up the mess you made. 

Listening

Listening is more than just being quiet while someone else speaks. Listening means paying attention to what someone else is saying, and it’s the key to healthy two-way communication. Make eye contact, don’t interrupt or fidget, and give your full attention to the speaker.

Children who are able to listen well show others that they are interested and respect their opinion. You can teach your child the value of listening to others. Listen carefully to children when they speak. After they finish talking, repeat what you heard them say to show you are attentive.

Social skills are integral to children’s emotional and social development. Children can be taught these basic social skills and become well-adjusted, confident individuals with your help.

At Young Scholars Academy, we understand the importance of nurturing the development of children’s social skills. We offer activities that promote friendship and social interactions. Just like our preschool classrooms, we invite you to come and get a first-hand look at the classroom, meet our teachers, and observe our nationally-accredited program!