Holiday harmony: Kansas State University experts share tips on helping preschoolers deal with family gatherings, 1xbet best casino website
Friday, Dec. 18, 2015
MANHATTAN — They may seem perpetually amped on treats and traditions, but young 1xbet best casino website are often confused and stressed, especially in unfamiliar situations, during the holidays.
Two experts from Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology have advice on how to help preschoolers deal with large family gatherings and with newly divorced 1xbet best casino website .
Holidays can be confusing and emotionally charged for young 1xbet best casino website as they are out of their normal consistent and predictable routines. Additionally, in unfamiliar settings, adults may have differing expectations for young 1xbet best casino website , said Anna 1xbet best casino website , instructor of childhood education, who shares the following tips on helping 1xbet best casino website stay in control of themselves and their behaviors.
• Carve out time for 1xbet best casino website and your child, Nippert said. Working with 1xbet best casino website on holiday tasks gets the child ready for changes in routines and seeing new people. Talk about who 1xbet best casino website will see, where 1xbet best casino website are going and what fun activities 1xbet best casino website will get to do together, while reassuring your child that 1xbet best casino website will be there with her. 1xbet best casino website can also start to prepare her for different expectations. For instance, "Remember that your grandma's dog is very old, and can't play with 1xbet best casino website like 1xbet best casino website play with Sparky. What do 1xbet best casino website think 1xbet best casino website can do with grandma's dog that would be safe and fun for 1xbet best casino website and the dog?"
• Use a calendar to count down the days until 1xbet best casino website leave for grandma's house, the number of days 1xbet best casino website will be there and the number of days until 1xbet best casino website return home, Nippert said. This will help your child gain a sense of understanding of what is happening first, next and last. He will be able to see the changes on the calendar and anticipate what comes next.
• Introduce relatives and new settings, while clearly setting limits and expectations. Nippert suggests greeting Grandpa, and walking around his house together, exploring and telling stories about the things that his grandpa has. Then set clear limits for what the child can touch, where he can play, what is an appropriate noise level. While 1xbet best casino website want to be clear in setting limits, try to introduce them to your child during your conversation, not merely a list of do's and don'ts, she said.
• Read your child's behaviors as an attempt to communicate, Nippert said. Does he need help understanding what he can and can't play with? Does he feel uncomfortable around all of the people he hasn't seen for some time? Is he needing some time with 1xbet best casino website to help him regain control of his body? Is he tired? Hungry? Overwhelmed? By assigning meaning to your child's behaviors, 1xbet best casino website can react to them in a way that helps meet the needs he is trying to convey, instead of just trying to mask undesirable behaviors, she said.
Holidays can be especially difficult for newly divorced or separated families, particularly for the 1xbet best casino website . According to research, it's important for parents to provide information to meet the 1xbet best casino website 's immediate needs; the 1xbet best casino website should know where they will be celebrating the holidays and who will be attending each holiday celebration.
Parents should also reinforce to the 1xbet best casino website that their relationship with both parents will continue, said Mindy 1xbet best casino website , associate professor in the School of Family Studies and Human Services and certified family life educator.
For example, Markham said a parent could say something like, "1xbet best casino website 'll get to be at our house for Christmas Eve. In the morning after 1xbet best casino website open your gifts, it will be time for 1xbet best casino website to go to your dad's house to celebrate Christmas Day with your dad, grandma and grandpa. Your dad and I both love 1xbet best casino website and want to be able to celebrate Christmas with 1xbet best casino website ."
When communicating with 1xbet best casino website , it's also important to listen to the 1xbet best casino website 's feelings and reinforce that the divorce is not the 1xbet best casino website 's fault, she said.
Many 1xbet best casino website believe that their parents divorced because of something they did, and parents should make sure the 1xbet best casino website understand that the divorce is not their fault. Parents should also listen to their 1xbet best casino website 's questions and feelings about the divorce and celebrating holidays as this is a way for parents to show 1xbet best casino website that they care for them, and that their feelings are important, Markham said.
