Walking through the park today, I couldn’t help but notice a bunch of parents sitting around the side of a playground, watching their two, three and four-year-olds chase each other. Children are yelling remarks across the playground,
“Mommy watch this!”, “Daddy are you looking?” and “Grandma come here!”.
As I look towards the adults who respond to these children, I see their tired eyes, their scrunched shoulders and their heads held up by one hand. These people are exhausted!
Much like these parents watching their children at the park, I remember this overwhelmed feeling as a Preschool Teacher.
I remember my first day of school, during the first year I had my own preschool classroom. I was given the responsibility, to not only contain a group of 27 young children in a room, but I was instructed to teach them and keep them safe………
WHAT? Have you seen these kids? They run all over, chase each other, throw blocks, stand on tables and think the other one is a punching bag! You want me to teach them?
As I sat there, observing my new classroom and watching the relationship dynamic between the students and staff members, I realized that all of these kids are crying out for one-on-one attention. They are competing with others to be noticed by adults and striving to be the best at everything.
That’s when I realized that giving each child specific, directed praise and attention would provide the foundation to the calm and enriched learning platform needed to provide a productive preschool classroom.
Attention-Getting Behavior
Attention-getting behavior is what parents and teachers deal with on a daily basis. Why does this happen? How come children feel as though they need to yell, scream, call us or do something so random to get our attention.
The answer – adults are busy!
We have so many things to think about: getting dinner ready, paying bills, cleaning the house, going to work, getting gas for the car, paying the electricity bill, doing laundry…. and on and on and on and on. It never stops! So how is an exhausted parent with tons to do supposed to enthusiastically engage with their children?
Simple Answer
The answer is simple, PLAY with them! Set aside a half hour to an hour per day to play with your child (or more if you like). If you allow your child to have your full attention (no tv, no phone calls, no checking emails) for that amount of time, then your child will allow you to spend most of the rest of your day completing your to-do list. Giving your child this time will demonstrate that they are an important aspect in your life and will help build a healthy, parent-child bond throughout childhood.
How are you supposed to stop everything you are doing and give your child your undivided attention?
I am going to help! How?
For 15 minutes every day, stop the work, put down the phone, turn off the screens and enjoys these little ones (after all, they are only little for a short time)!
Watch as you develop an even stronger bond with your child, learning their unique strengths, laughing together and creating lifelong memories.
Join our Free 15 Minute Challenge: Every day, for the next 5 weeks, I challenge you to spend 15 minutes of uninterrupted time playing with your children.
- Once a week, for the next five weeks, I am going to send you and email that includes 5 simple activities you can do with your preschooler (ages 2-6 years old) - using items you already have at home! For 15 minutes every day, stop the work, put down the phone, turn off the screens and enjoys your little ones (after all, they are only little for a short time)!
Watch as you develop an even stronger bond with your child, learning their unique strengths, laughing together and creating lifelong memories.
Sign up below to have access to daily 15-minute activities that are perfect for children ages 2 years old through 6!
About the Author: Jeana Kinne, MA has spent over 16 years in the Early Childhood Education field. She has worked as a Preschool Teacher, Preschool Director, Preschool Consultant and with children with Special Needs. Jeana created JDEducational to guide parents in learning simple teaching techniques which keep their child engaged, excited to learn. She hopes that through learning and growing together, families will create life-long memories. Learn More About Jeana Here.
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