August is Family Fun Month and Getting Ready for Kindergarten Month. These two ideas go hand in hand.
If you are a parent of preschoolers, you have been placed in the privileged position of building our next generation. Though raising preschoolers has moments of challenge, building fun and learning into your parenting practice makes the job all the more rewarding. You’re bonding with your children and they’re learning and growing along the way!
Intellectual skills are not the only important aspect of incorporating education into your parenting. Bonding with your children is a natural lead into supporting their emotional health. To support the emotional health of your preschooler, first make sure you are taking care of your own mental health. Children thrive when their caregivers can model adaptive management to the ups and downs life brings. It's also important for parents to know that helping your children grow up emotionally-healthy does not require an advanced degree!
You have everything you need to help your kids grow up emotionally resilient–relationship building isn’t rocket science! Give children structure, encouragement, point out their strengths, and openly show them your unconditional love. Modeling these healthy practices will go far in them becoming healthy, mature adults.
If you're struggling as a parent. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Programs like Appleseed's SPARK initiative or your local Help-Me-Grow program are designed to help you be successful.
