Preschool is a key moment in our children’s lives. Help your kids to succeed with these tips & 16 Things Preschoolers Need to Be the Best Learners. This post is sponsored by La Petite Academy. All opinions are my own.
16 Things Preschoolers Need to Be the Best Learners
Moms of preschoolers, the struggle is real! It’s hard to believe that my little 4-year old is at a pinnacle moment in her childhood – preschool. This is the foundation, the stepping stone to many years of learning to come. And it’s important as parents to help our kids be the best learners they can be. But what tools do they need to succeed? Today I’m sharing 16 Things Preschoolers Need to Be the Best Learners They Can Be and why this moment in our little one’s lives can all of the difference.
Encouragement
How true this is for even adults today. We all need encouragement to do our best. Preschoolers, even more so to be the best learners they can be.
Patience
It comes with dealing with 3 and 4 year old kids. Am I right?
Independence
From making their beds to choosing their school clothes to completing chores, allow your preschooler to achieve as much independence as their little bodies can handle (within reason, of course).
Teamwork
Preschoolers are wired to be selfish. Helping them to explore outside of themselves and promoting teamwork will help set them up for success in the long run, especially in learning.
Routine
Aka avoid the meltdown! My daughter is as stubborn as they come, so when you mess with her very predictable routine – be prepared. (FYI, she has to pick out her dress before going potty in the morning.) Routine is so important to a preschooler’s ability to learn and learn well.
Higher Expectations
Expect more out of your child. Don’t lower your standards to meet their level. Elevate your child to believe that they can do more and be more.
Simple Problems
Even at this young age, our kids need problems to solve. We can’t do it all for them. Allow them to think through simple problems.
Effective Discipline
Children need to know their limits and boundaries. And that means having an effective discipline strategy in place. And let me just say right now, discipline looks different for every child. The timeout corner was very effective with my son – but not for my daughter. But even more, your kids need to have firm, structured and non-wavering discipline. Hold your ground.
Praise
Quite conversely, be sure to openly praise your child and praise them often. They need that self-esteem boost to know that they can achieve anything! Be specific in your praise – for their actions, behaviors and goals.
Play
Kids learn through play. The best learning happens when kids get the opportunity to be kids. Let them play, explore, and have fun while they learn.
Music
Clapping, singing, dancing, grooving. You know where it’s at. Music is in our kids’ bones and draws out this uncanny ability to learn better. Those ABC’s? Those 1, 2, 3’s? Music!
Movement
Building off of the dancing, movement is key to preschool learning as well. Allow your kids to run, jump, wiggle and expend energy to help them to focus on learning.
Sleep
Have you seen a preschooler on little sleep? NOT a pretty picture! Make sure that your preschooler is getting enough rest every night to better prepare them for learning the next day. ESSENTIAL!
The Right Fuel
Preschoolers require brain power to get through their learning days. Be sure to fuel up your little learner with the right combination of foods (fruits, veggies, grains, protein) and lots of hydration.
A Safe & Positive Learning Environment
Preschool is such an important milestone in your child’s life for learning. It’s the stepping stone to kindergarten and years of learning to come. It’s the pivotal moment that can build the foundation for life. Making sure that your preschooler has a wonderful, safe and positive learning environment can mean the difference in being the best learner they can be or struggling through the years. (Case in point, remember our preschool teacher experience with my son?)
If you’re looking for the right place to help your child reach their learning potential in Florida, consider La Petite Academy. This premier pre-school offers kids the attention and unique care they need as they begin their learning journey with over 63 locations throughout the state. With rich curriculum experiences, hands-on learning and a overall healthy preschooler focus, like their nutrition program, La Petite provides children with the essentials to take on a love of learning at an early age. Research shows that kids at La Petite are 3x more prepared, more advanced and more able to begin kindergarten, with the skill set needed to succeed. Find out more about how your preschooler can be the best learners they can be at www.lapetite.com.
Love
“All you need is love.” It’s true. Preschoolers need endless and unconditional love to unlock their learning potential. Don’t forget that.
What things do your preschoolers need to be the best learners?
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robin rue says
Routines are EVERYTHING when it comes to kids. I always found that my kids were sort of lost whenever we were off schedule for some reason.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Encouragement and routine are so key for kids. They need to have the confidence of knowing that we’ve got their back and they need the security of routine.
Makeba Giles says
You’re daughter is so cute! I appreciate these tips for preschoolers. I have family who will have kids going into preschool next year, and these would be so helpful.
Dandi D says
I have a preschooler, so this is great to read!
Claudia Krusch says
My Son used to hate it when his routines would get messed up. He would be hyper and so cranky. These are great tips to help your kids reach their full potential.
AnnMarie John says
They are at their best age to absorb a lot of lessons and we definitely have to be patient with them if we want to maximize their learning. These are great tips for parents!
Liz Mays says
I definitely agree with these. The learning experience a pre-school like La Petite Academy can provide can be extremely valuable.
Diana Elizabeth says
Many of my good friends have preschool aged kids. Those information are great and I will be sharing them with my friends.
Carol Cassara says
Kids live for routine and that’s one of the things that they rely on everyday. All of the things that you mentioned is essential for the kids.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
Preschoolers are very amazing at learning and it’s really nice to be able to maximize that in any way possible. I think all of these factors are important when it comes to teaching them.
Kelly || Food, Fun & Faraway Places says
Routines are so huge, honestly, I am still the same way now. These are really great tips, I’ll keep these in mind!
Theresa says
These are all right on point. I used music a lot to help my girls learn, everything from spelling out their colors to learning their phone number and address.
Sara Welch says
This is a wonderful list idea. These attributes really help when it comes to teaching young ones.
Kristi says
Routine and Play are so important but your entire list is a a great, hard to narrow down the top ones.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Thank you for these tips. My grandson is not yet of pre-school age, but I guess the earlier he starts preparing for it, the easier it would be. Right now, the routine he knows by heart is his morning nap at 10:30 am and bedtime at 8 pm.
Pam says
All of this is so true. One thing I think a lot of parents forget is that kids need lots of play to learn.
Shannon Gurnee says
This is definitely some great information. I remember it being hard with our kids and their routines when they went to preschool.
Our Family World says
These are awesome pieces of advice. I believe preschoolers should be given a lot of encouragement and we should also be generous with praise for every little accomplishment. Wishing your little girl the best in preschool. She’s going to do fine.