Parenting pre-school aged children is more than a full time job. These children are active, inquisitive and have their own agenda. Any parenting tips that can turn all that energy into learning is worth talking about.

Ninety percent of a child's brain is developed by the age of five. That is a pretty astounding statistic. It can be helpful and interpreted in many ways. How should just knowing about this statistic help parents adjust to a better parenting techniques.

*Build pathways in their brain that use all the senses

Science teaches us that the more information we process using different methods the more pathways are open to use in the brain. Here is an example that may help illustrate the point. Let's say there is an name that has been forgotten and there is a conversation trying to remember the name. The last time she was seen was at Tricia's wedding, remember all those lilacs at the wedding and pop, the name comes into the mind. Was it the visual of the flowers, the smell, the color? We don't really know. We do know that one of those things found another way to the information.

Here is a parenting tip to use in the kitchen. We have cookies baking in the oven and we are counting the glasses. What senses are being used by the pre-school aged child? The pre-schooler can smell the baking cookies, touch the glasses and see them.

Maybe the next day when we are counting we are outside with the the city noise, smells and sounds. Think of the all the pathways that are building in the network of the brain that can be accessed and crossed at many different points. Once a pathway is built is can connect to others in thousands of ways.

*Say yes three times more than you say no

We've all seen it. The shirt that Grandma buys for the toddler that says "My name is not No-No." There is a reason we all relate to the shirt. We say no a lot. So before the age of five, lets see how many ways we can introduce yes into a conversation. Here are some parenting words to illustrate the point.

"Yes, I can see you want that opened and we will do it another time."
"Yes, you can have a cookie, right after lunch."
"Yes, you can play with toys another time."

*Assume that someday the child will have a clear understanding of everything they see, feel, hear, smell, taste and experience

They are all seeing and all knowing. Somewhere in their brain they know everything that is happening around them. So treat them that way. It is amazing how closely they pay attention and learn if that is the way we expect things to happen and act accordingly. If there is a behavior or thought process that you don't want a child to model, don't do it in their presence. Parents should remember that a pre-school child is like a sponge, soaking it all up.

*Foster curiosity

Parenting skills improve when we love questions and seek out answers. When driving down the road often we say things like, I wonder what is in that truck. We can have a conversation for 20 minutes. On occasion we have stopped at a truck stop to ask the driver and see if we were correct!

It is acceptable to tell a child you don't the know the answer. Then work together to explore the possibilities. These little trip will take you and your children to new heights.

*Encourage optimism

Point out the positive without any particular reason or need to follow up. Things like "That tree is beautiful." "The snow looks great today." "Wow, look how clean your room is." Just make the statement and walk away. Sadly, much of the world does this practice in just the opposite manner. Take a walk down the happy side of the street.

Parenting is the most important job on the planet. Take all the tips that are offered.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for parenting preschool aged children?
We want to hear your view. Write now!