You may soon be spending less time with your child as you both head back into more structured days – goodbye to summer vacation days for you, and off to school or day care for your child. According to Chaya Kulkarni, a parenting expert at Invest in Kids, transitions like these are especially hard for young children because they need security, which they find in consistent routines. Kulkarni offers three tips to help you and your child adapt.
1. Prepare your child for the changes to come, such as a new morning routine, with a practice run. Involve everyone in the family so they know what to expect.
2. Find ways to make the most of your daily activities and make your routine fun. For example, sing favourite songs or retell stories on the drive to and from school or day care.
3. Talk with your child about her new social setting. As she forms new relationships, there will be so much more for you to ask her about and for her to share. Ask questions that can't be answered with a no or a yes (such as, "What did you do in school today?") and require your child to say a few words.
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